POLICE COURT

Manawatu Times, Volume LXXVIII, Issue 12916, 13 October 1914, Page 7

POLICE COURT

At Palmerston Police Court yesterday, before Mr Poynton, £.M., a first offender for drunkenness was ordered to pay 2s cab hire in default 24 hours' imprisonment. Michael Kelly, alias Martin Brady, was charged with being an idle and disorderly person with insufficient means of support. Detective Sergeant Quirke said accused was associating with criminals and had been warned to leave the town, which he refused to do. He had also a bad record.

A sentence of three months' imprisonment was imposed. Edward Leedham was charged with boarding a train while in motion on September 18. Defendant admitted the offence and was fined 10s and costs.

Alf. Gardner (Mr Fitzherbert) was charged that on September 1 at Pal merston he did sell food, tc wit milk, containing a substance the addition o 5 which is prohibited by the regulations under the Drugs Act; that he did sell milk containing less butter fat than is allowed by the regulations. Defendant pleaded not guilty to both informations.

The police handed in the analysis, which showed that the milk was deficient in solids and had 5 2 per cent of water added.

Morgan O'Brien, Health Officer, stated that he took the sample from defendant's son. He purchased a pint which was taken from the tan on the cart, the driver of the cart being informed that the milk sample was to be forwarded for analysis.

To Mr Fitzherbert: He had taken previous samples of defendant's milk which were always satisfactory.

Mr Fitzherbert submitted that in taking the samples the Inspector had not complied with the Act as he should have taken one sample and divided it into three parts. To get a true sample the milk should have been stirred up and then a sample taken. In this case the sample was taken from the bottom of a small serving can.

Defendant stated he had been a milk vendor for 15 years t-nd had always given satisfaction to his cus tomers. The milk from which the sample was taken was purchased from another person. He had never added any water to his milk. H. Scott said milk -landing 2*4 hours in a can would bring the cream to the top and it would not be fair t*' take a sample from the bottom of the can without stirring it up. Mr Poynton: Well at that rate that would be the proper way to serve the customers and not giv j one cream and another skim milk.

G. H. Bennett said he had always found the milk supplied l by defendant was satisfactory. O. MonTad, H. Wycherley and J. Munro also testified to the good qualities of defendant's milk.

Ernest Houghton said he supplied the milk to defendant and denied putting any water into it. Sergt. Willis contended that the samples were properly taken by Mr O 'Brien. Decision was reserved.

Frank Hardy (Mr Cooper) was charged that on September 12 at Palmerston he did sell milk containing less solids other than butter fat than are allowed under the regulations; that he did sell milk containing a substance the addition of vhich is prohibited by the Drugs Act. Defendant pleaded not guilty.

The Health Officer stated that on September 12 he took a sample of de fendant's milk from the diiver of the cart. The sample taken contained 8 per cent of added water. Previous samples were satisfactory. He told the driver that he required the sample to forward to the Dominion Analyst..

L. Driver said the milk was delivered to him from another farmer on the street. The Inspector did not tell him that he wanted the milk for analysis. Defendant stated that he bought the milk from Mr Chapman and had always found it satisfactory. Mr Cooper submitted tl<at the Inspector did not comply with Section 7 of the Act and inform the driver of the cart what the sample was required for. Decision reserved.

In the Review of Reviews Mr Stead discussed the breaking up of the Austrian Empire. In view of what has occurred since his summary of the situation, given in brief form, will prove interesting to our readers. Mr Stead says: "What will happen when the Austrian Empire breaks up, is, of course, pure guesswork, but the general anticipation is that Germany would seize upon the need of protecting German-speaking folk in Austria as a pretext to secure direct access to the Mediterranean via the Adriatic. Galicia would fall to Russia, Hungary would become a separate kingdom, and Bohemia a republic. • Servia would endeavour to seize Bosnia and Herzegovena, whilst Italy would certainly take Dalmatia and attempt to secure the Tyrol. Unfortunately such partition would involve Europe in a general war which might set back the march of progress for decades. It might, it is true, be the Armageddon which will bring about the end of all wars between civilised nations." Somethii e new.-—A dainty selec on of Moonstone Pendant Brooches hnd Hat Pins, set in Silver; quite inexpensive. N. T). Stubhs, Jeweller, The Shop, for Presents. *