GAOL SENTENCES

New Zealand Herald, Volume 79, Issue 24273, 14 May 1942, Page 4

GAOL SENTENCES

ILLICIT PETROL SALES WARNING ■a r GRAVITY OF OFFENCES PURCHASERS TO PAIY FINES (0.C.) WELLINGTON, Wednesday "I consider it is essential that any attempt to foster black markets in New Zealand should be promptly crushed," said Mr. J. L. Stout, S.M., to-day, when dealing with a number of defendants convicted of charges under the Oil Fuel Regulations. The magistrate had said he thought it appropriate to state that it was evident rationing was likely to be increasingly extended to other goods and commodities, which prompted him to utter his warning. "The only way, in my opinion, to do this," Mr. Stout added, "is to inflict such penalties as will not only punish the present offenders, but will be of sufficient severity to deter others from following their example. Penalties In England "I do not know whether the public realises the severity of the penalties which are inflicted in England in such cases. Many years of imprisonment are the maximum there, but in New Zealand the maximum i 3 only 12 months." He thought that if black markets spread in this country probably heavier penalties would be provided. Imprisonment with hard labour was the sentence imposed on Charles Norman Young and Thomas Irvine Bell, partners in the firm of Young and Bell, Limited, service station proprietors, for offences connected with the illegal sale of petrol. Young was sentenced to three months' imprisonment and Bell to six weeks. Secret Tank Used It was stated that the petrol came from a secret tank containing more than 400 gallons, which defendants had held since the time of the Centennial Exhibition, the existence of which was unknown to the Oil Fuel Controller. Senior-Sergeant Paine said the defendants, in their returns to the controller, revealed the installation of ten storage tanks and ten pumps, whereas there were actually 11 storage tanks with two of the tankß connected to one of the pumps. The police case was that the petrol sold from the extra tank was not disclosed in the returns made to the controller and that the meter on the pump through which the petrol from it was supplied was altered so that it would conform to the returns of the total petrol sales from the station. Counsel's Explanation Mr. W. E. Leicester appeared for both Young and Bell and for the company admitted the existence of the extra tank, but explained that the petrol concerned in the illegal sales had been obtained at the time of the Centennial Exhibition, when the restrictions were temporarily relaxed. In Bell's case it was stated by the police that he was present at the station only two hours during a period of several days it was under observation and that there were only two charges of illicit sale of fuel against him. Mr. Leicester told the magistrate Bell was concerned only with the repairs side of the business, the financial and returns section of the firm being handled by Young. Both Young and Bell pleaded guilty to all the informations against them j dealt with yesterday. Other charges against them in which they have elected to be tried before a jury will be dealt with later. Sale at 6s a Gallon William Harold Davis, charged also with the illegal sale of petrol, pleaded not guilty. He said _he had not trafficked in petrol, having paid Young 6s a gallon for petrol, which he sold to G. Berrv at the same price. He had driven Berry's car down to Young's service station himself because he did not want too many people to know about it. Accused called Young as a witness, but Young said he did not recall ever charging Davis any but the current ruling prices. "I must hold that you did buy this petrol and sold it at 6s a gallon," said the magistrate in convicting Davis. Davis was also fined £ls on each of two charges on the unauthorised purchase of petrol, and £5 on each of two charges of failing to give information. Punishment of Purchasers The following defendants, who either pleaded guilty to or had been found guilty of the unauthorised purchase of petrol, were fined the amounts shown: Herbert Henry Ambridge, £lO on each of two charges; Loeta Constance Farmer, £10; Albert John Harvey, £10; Frank Howard James, £10; Joseph Cohen, £10; Victor David, £ls on one charge and £5 on another; Clifford Downes, £10; Robert Thomas Hill, £lO on one charge and £5 on each of four others; Mina Annie Kerr and Mavis Lenore Ned well Chamberlain, jointly charged, £2 10s each; Duncan Robertson Menzies, £10; Kelvin Huia Clemett, £5; Harold Wilson Morgan, £ls; Stanley Moffitt Morgan, £ls; James Robert Morris, £ls on each of two charges; Godfrey Frederick Powell, £10; Bernard Leonard Shepherd, £2 10s; Cho Nam Wong, £ls; Sidney George Nathan, £2O; John Herbert Francis, £lO on one charge and convicted and discharged on another; Lucy Noad, £10; George Benny, £ls; Herbert Henry Ambridge, £lO on each of two charges. Roy Cecil Temple was fined £lO for improperly using petrol, and Herbert James Ransom was convicted and discharged for aiding and abetting him and for making a false statement to obtain petrol. ATTACK BY PIG DOGS INJURY TO CYCLIST (0.C.) WANGANTTI, Wednesday How a cyclist, Mr, John Percival Head, riding along the Castlecliff Wharf on April 4, was attacked by four pig dogs, was told before Mr. J. H. Salmon, S.M., in Wanganui, when Herbert Butler was charged with being the owner of dogs which caused injury. In view of the fact that the principal aggressor among the dogs had been destroyed, a fine of £3, with costs, would be imposed, said the magistrate. Senior-Sisrgeant Culloty said Head, who was wearing ehorts, was cycling along the wharf, when one of the dogs pulled him off the cycle. This dog held on to Mr. Head, after which the others attacked him. Defendant endeavoured to kick the dogs away ; but was also bitten. As a result of injuries he had received, Mr. Head received medical attention.