SHORT-WEIGHT BUTTER

Northern Advocate, 22 June 1925, Page 4

SHORT-WEIGHT BUTTER

MANUFACTURER AND PURVEYORFINED. Arthur James Watson, manager of the Springhead Dairy Company, and Monk and Company, grocers of Whangarei, were proceeded against at the Whangarei Magistrate's Court this morning, before Mr R. M. Tate, S.M.. on charges of selling butter shortweight, end also of selling it in wrappers which did not disclose the correct weight, r.or the proper address of the manufactory. Mr Harrison pleaded guilty on behalf of both defendant".

Senior-Sergeant o'Grady described how on April 20 Inspector A. W. Nicol, Chief Health Inspector, had purchased a pound of Springhead butter at, Monk and Company's store. He weighed the butter and five other similar pats and found that the total weight was 51b 14oz 3dr, which was loz lOdr short of correct weight. The Senior-Sergeant

also referred to the label on the wrappers, which did not disclose the actual weight nor the address of the manufacturer. Mr Harrison submitted that, in regard to Monk and Company, the butter merely passed through their hands, although they were technically responsible for any shortage in weight. Springhead was a small factory at Maungatapero which made both «rheese ond butter. The address Springhead was known locally, and it was an oversight Mint tlio correct address had not been added. That would be remedied. As for the deficiency in weight, counsel -understood that the company had a good modem plant. In this plant the butter in bulk was squeezed through nn aperture into moulds and was cut off in pound pats. The measurements of the pals were correct, and the shortage in weight might be due to r.ir bubbles or to an excess of moisture. However, there was no doubt t-ha-t the weight had been short, and the company was therefore responsible. The case was the first of its kind with vhich the Magistrate had dealt. It was, he said, one of those things which were brought to light through the diligence of the inspectors. Those concerned, however, would have to lemenVbor that the fines for such breaches ranged from £(50 to £200 for a subsequent (.ITence. He would deal leniently with r'io cases, but the m&nufactuferp must understand that they must not sell butter which, was underweight or without being wrapped ufitfer propi® labels. Monk and Co. were fined 40s and 7s costs, and the company was fined £2 10s on each charge, with costs 7a.