Farmer’s Breach Of Oil Fuel Regulations

Northern Advocate, 18 February 1942, Page 5

Farmer’s Breach Of Oil Fuel Regulations

At the Magistrate’s Court, Kaitaia, on Tuesday, before Mr. Raymond Ferner, S.M., Amos Stanley Foster, farmer, of Fairburns, was charged with using oil fuel for a purpose other than that specified in his consumer’s license. Foster pleaded guilty and elected to be dealt with summarily. While holding a license for benzine for his milking machine and a small allowance for his car, Foster had had power put in his shed. He had not notified the local controller, as he thought the power board would do so.

It was not until October 3, 1941, when he applied for a license for four gallons a month as a standby in case of power breakdown that the position was revealed.

In the meantime he had been using his car for transport to Home Guard parades at Fairburns and Kaitaia, and one trip to Auckland. Having had notice of the continuation of his license from the Controller and not knowing the Controller had issued it under a misunderstanding, Fester did not realise he was committing an offence.

Mr. Ferner: “In the present emergency all have to be on restrictions. It is obligatory on everybody to know and obey the regulations. In justice to other farmers and those of the community who are abiding by the regulations, it is the duty of the law in proper cases to inflict severe penalties. “Consideration to the special circumstances will be given in this case." Foster was convicted and fined £G and costs.