Fines Would Not Pay for Inspector’s Repeated Visits

Northland Age, Volume XX, Issue 10, 10 November 1950, Page 1

Fines Would Not Pay for Inspector’s Repeated Visits

Through Mr. G. A. Nici ohs, IL Lunjevich, a storekeeper of Here!; 5 to, entered pleas of guilty to t ’o charges of overcharging and on i f not displaying a pi ice ticket oil an article for sale. Mr. R. 11. Kelly, prcrecuting for the Price Controller, s ..r ed that inspectors had visited the shop of defendant and found that men’s half hose were marked at 6/9 per pair, whereas they should have been 6/6, and a woman’s jumper was marked at 45/- whereas the price should have been 44/6, and that denim ware bore no price tag at all. “It almost seems as if the department is determined to get convictions against this man,” said Mr. Nicholls. “He was convicted in June 1949, and was warned but not prosecuted in January of this year. On this occasion, the defendant was away when the inspectors paid their visit, and though they went right through the shop, these were th e only three things wrong they could find. “Management of the business had been left in th e hands of defendant’s

“They Scraped Out By Skin of Teeth, ” states Magistrate

sons while he was away, and it is quite likely through inexperience these mistakes have been made. The offences are not denied. They are quite trvial, sir, and I don’t think they warrant heavy penalties. But I do think that he must have done something to upset the department.” “I don’t think th e department has any reason to like Mr. Lunjevich,” said Mr. Harley. “He landed them in one of the stickiest escapades of the north at on e time, and they scraped out only by the skin of their teeth. “It certainly looks bad, these repeated visits. In these charges the amounts are trivial, 3d in one case and 6d in the other. “Anything I could fine . him would not in any way compensate the country for the repeated visits of the inspectors, and I am pleased to be able to voice my views on this matter.

“However, as the law stands, so must I administer it. The defendant will be fined £1 on each charge with costs.”