AMERICAN GOODS

New Zealand Herald, Volume 80, Issue 24760, 7 December 1943, Page 4

AMERICAN GOODS

ILLECxAL POSSESSION A SENTENCE CONFIRMED A sentence of four months' imprisonment passed by Mr. J. H. Luxford, S.M., on Stanley Walter Cotter, salesman, aged 34 (Mr. M. Robinson), for being found in possession of American goods without lawful authority was confirmed on appeal by Mr. Justice Fair yesterday. The property concerned consisted of three tins of petrol, 55 men's singlets and six pairs of leather gloves. "This sort of crime," said His Honor, "as everybody who goes about the city with his eyes open knows, is the sort of crime that may well be expected to become rampant in circumstances like the present. It is very difficult to detect. .Reference to the fact that there are six cases pending or awaiting sentence after the determination of this appeal shows the extent to which this class of offence is being committed." Submissions by Crown The enso was adjourned last Friday for the hearing of evidence bearing; on the penalty. Called by Mr. Robinson, Dr. J. Dreadon gave evidence as to the condition of health of accused's wife. Mr. Cleal, for the Crown, said the sentence had been imposed by an experienced magistrate who knew exactly what crime was being committed in the city. Vast quantities of American property were missing, and this was causing grave concern to the American authorities. Magistrates had from time to time intimated that anybody dealing with this American property would be imprisoned. The Appeal Dismissed His Honor said it \vas impossible to grant probation in this.case. Sentence had boon imposed by a very experienced magistrate who knew not only the state of crime in this city, but also the amount of punishment required to discourage it. Independently His Honor had come to the same conclusion, the attempt to mislead the Court as to the condition of the wife's health and the business accused bad embarked upon also indicated that the four months imprisonment was the least sentence that should be imposed. The appeal would be dismissed, and the appellant ordered to pay £7 7s costs.