“MENACE TO PUBLIC”

Gisborne Times, Volume LXXIII, Issue 11949, 20 May 1933, Page 5

“MENACE TO PUBLIC”

GOLD-DEALING TRAN S ACTION '‘•'DISHONEST BUSINESS.”

MAGISTRATE'S STRONG

OOAIMENT

Presix Association.)

DUNEDIN, May 19-

Strong comment by the magistrate Air. H. W. Bundle, 'followed 'a'.case m which 1 55eta Benjamin was charged with receiving a diamond and P cnr! cluster ring valued at £l6, knowing it to have- beep dishonestly obtainc*.., and hw husband, Cyril Benjamin, a partner in tho New Zealand G O|U Buying and Smelting Company, was charged with purchasing the ring and failing to outer tho name, etc., oi tho- person from whom it was purchased.

The evidence showed that the woman defendant was relieving her husband in the shop, he being ilk and bought the ring from a youth for IQs. It was; sent to Christehuren next- clay with other go]d pin chased. Cyril Benjamin stated that when clients brought .rings they w P re paid for the gold and could have Ibe stones back if they insisted. The magistrate said such a practieo could be stigmatised only as n dishonest business, but seeing that tho woman was merely acting temporarily as her husband’s agent he was loth to convict her. though the husband were sn charged he would have convicted. Tim charge was dismissed, but the husband was convicted of the minor charge against him. and fined £5, and his dealer’s license cancelled. Afr Bundle characterising the business as a menace to the public.