MILK PROSECUTIONS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22390, 9 April 1936, Page 14

MILK PROSECUTIONS

INSPECTOR ASSAULTED DELIVERY OUT OF HOURS Charges of assaulting an officer of the Milk Council and of obstructing him in the execution of his duty were brought against Atkinson Webb in the Magistrate's Court yesterday before Mr. W. R. McKean, S.M. Defendant pleaded not guilty. Mr. Drummond appeared for the Milk Council. Claude Rui&ted, inspector for the council, said that defendant had previously been prosecuted for delivering milk without a licence. On March 12 witness saw him riding a bicycle and carrying a billy. He followed him in his car for some time. Defendant came up to him and aimed a blow through the open window, striking him on the shoulder. He addressed witness in very abusive language. "What right had this man to follow me? I am not a milkman," said defendant. He said he was carrying a can containing meat, and saw the inspector following him from place to place. He went to get a horse for a milkman who lived at his house atid when he came back to the road the inspector asked him what he was doing with th* billy.

"I said, 'What's that got to do with you?' and he said, Til soon show you,' and with that we had a few words," defendant continued. He denied striking the He had had a cow, but had disposed of it some time ago.

In imposing a fine of £1 on the first charge and dismissing the second, the magistrate said he was taking into account the fact thaf defendant was on sustenance.

Fines of 10s and costs were imposed on James Carmichael (Mr. Drummond) on two charges of delivering milk out of hours. Mr. Drummond said that defendant had declined to engage in consolidation in order to complete his round in regulation time, or the prosecution would not have been brought. A similar charge against another vendor, who had agreed to consolidate, was withdrawn.

Miss C. Aitkenhead was fined 10s and costs for selling milk without a licence. Mr. Campbell, who appeared*for defendant, said the milk had been served by a new employee and it; was not ji usual practice.