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New Zealand Times, Volume XL, Issue 9094, 13 July 1915, Page 4

“Don’t you know you axe liable to a fine of £10?” said Mr D. G. A. Cooper, S.M., in the Magistrate’s Court yesterday, to Thomas Richard Canlm, who was charged with selling cigarettes to a boy under the age of fifteen years. Defendant made a statement, which was verified, that the boy ' had received the cigarettes on the strict understanding that they were bo be given to an adult customer, who frequently did business at the shop, inspector Hendrey said that he did not doubt defendant’s story for a moment, but he pointed out that the sale of tobacco to boys was absolutely prohibited under the Act. His Worsnip concurred, and after telling the defendant that the matter was a seripu* one, entered a conviction. ■ In the circumstances defendant was fined only 5s and costs 7s.

There are, it is reported, many men in the city who are mean and cowardly enough to allow their wives to do arduous labour wherewith to earn a few shillings to keep themselves and children, and, incidentally, their loafing husbands, whose main occupation is the drinking of beer. It is seldom, however, that they meet their just deserts, as the wives usually plod on uncomplainingly. But yesterday one was brought to justice, Patrick OTlalloran, who was proceeded against by the Charitable Aid Board tinder section 62 of the Destitute Persons Act, which provides that a man may bo sent to gaol, “without the option,” for failing to provide for his wife and family. The ease for the board was conducted by Mr A. H. Truebndge, who said that the man had failed to keep his wife through his own fault. ' There was a legal, besides a moral, obligation upon him to provide for his familyj instead, he got drunk, and allowed his wife to humiliate herself by asking aid of the board. The case was one of the first of its kind brought in Wellington. Mr D. G. A- Cooper, S.M., who was on the bench, said that the case fell well within the terms of the Act. Defendant, who did not appear, was convicted and sentenced to three months’ ftnprisonment. The wife was led sobbing out of court.