BAGS OF SUGAR SEIZED

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume 79, 27 May 1944, Page 4

BAGS OF SUGAR SEIZED

MILK BAB rKOPBIEIo'R IN COURT Wellington, I'/ ly 26. The forccable opening of doors by officers of the Food Control Department and the seizure of 14 70-lb bags of sugar which had been transferred by a milk bar proprietor from a business he had conducted at Petone to one he was starting in Wellington, were described in the Court to-day. four charges being laid. Defendant was Saphis Gerondis and decision was reserved. Following counsel’s submission that the regulations did not cover three* of the charges, defendant pleaded guilty to one charge, namely that with intent to deceive he had failed to disclose in an application to the rationing officer that he had sugar in stock. He pleaded not guilty to the charges of transferring the sugar from the premises in Petone to those in Wellington without the authority of a permit, and for failing to permit an inspector to inspect the premises and obstructing the inspector. After the inspector had given evidence of gaining admission by breaking down the door counsel put a number of questions relating to the legal aspects and the consequences of his conduct, suggesting that he had acted outside his rights and said that he was liable to action for trespass and damages. The defence claimed that defendant was not in business at Petone at the time. The Magistrate, Mr Stilwell, announcing his intention to consider the matter further, said he would also wait concerning the question of the penalty in the charge to which defendant had pleaded guilty.—P.A.