POSTING DANGEROUS GOODS

New Zealand Times, Volume XLIII, Issue 10062, 29 August 1918, Page 2

POSTING DANGEROUS GOODS

A MERCHANT FINED FOB THE OFFENCE.

Robert W. Davis, appeared on summons yesterday ,at tne Magistrate’s Court on a charge of posting a package that was likely to injure other persons. Mr D. M. Findlay, who appeared for defendant, said tho facts were admitted, the parcel which contained matches Uaving been posted bv a servant of the defendants. Chief Detective Boddam said tho defendant was the mfnager of the International Importing Company,; of Cuba street. Wellington. On July 23th his firm posted a parcel of safety matches to aMr Drinkwator, of Dannovirke. Tho parcel contained thousands of matches. On arrival of the package at Danuevirke it was taken charge of by tho postal officials there, and the chief postmaster at Wellington was informed of tho occurrence. Detective Boddam pointed out to the court that safety matches had ignited in a post office, and were dangerous goods.

. Mr Findlay stated that the defendant was not awa.ro that it was contrary to the Post and Telegraph Act te send safety matches through the post. It wad also nows to counsel to hear that matches bad exploded in a post office. His experience was that it was difficult to coax the present-dav mateli of commerce to light at all, annd no doubt most persons experienced a similar difficulty. The defendant was not acquainted with tbs Uw ami he claimed that tho matches in question were very safe, would only strike on tho specially prepared band that was on each package, and if struck on an anvil 111111 a hammer they would not , explode. The defendant was not aware that they had been posted tho act having "been- done bv a .returned soldier in the defendant’s employ. Had matches been on ordinary lino of the business conducted bv the accused probably he would have made himself acquainted with tho law. Tho matches in question were stuck together und resembled pickets of a fence. On a sample, being handed to the magistrate he . said: “This is a peculiar looting thing. It is a, sort of combination match and hair-comb. Safety matches are not so safe as tho maters wouM have us belieyo, and they are liable to ignite by mechanical means.” Tho defendant was convicted and fined £l, with costs -£3 3s.