AN UNUSUAL CASE
A SURPRISED DEFENDANT.
An unusual case was dealt -with by Mr E. Page, 53!., at the Police Court yesterday when Claude Blaokiston, '■ manager of the Eonpress Theatre (Mr G. G. Watson) was charged with storing petrol -without first obtaining a. 'license.
The circumstances showed that in December last, when there was but a low. pressure of gas and electricity, the defendant, as a precautionary measure and with the consent of the controllers of tho theatre, converted the powerplant to the use of petrol. Without his knowledge, the latter forwarded 11 cases of the spirit to the theatre, and these were' taken possession of by the custodian and stored in the dynamo room, where its presence came as a complete surprise to the defendant and a fireman when they were on a tour of inspection later in the same evening. For the prosecution it was stated that a penalty was not asked for,' as tho case had only been brought as a warniitig. " ""
The magistrate, in entering a conviction with costs, said the need for a license ■ was apparent, moTe especially in respect of instances eueh, as the one before the court.
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Bibliographic details
New Zealand Times, Volume XLVI, Issue 10540, 17 March 1920, Page 6
Word Count
194AN UNUSUAL CASE New Zealand Times, Volume XLVI, Issue 10540, 17 March 1920, Page 6
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