SALE OF WINE

New Zealand Times, Volume L, Issue 11655, 20 October 1923, Page 5

SALE OF WINE

ASSYRIAN’S BREACH OF THE LAW. “OOULD NEITHER READ NOR WRITE ENGLISH.” Rather an uncommon charge, was preferred against an Assyrian named David Peters at the Magistrate’s Court yesterday, before All* E. Page, S.AI., when the defendant was charged with selling wine in quantities lees than two gallons, and with selling wine in bottles not labelled in accordance with the regulations. Accused, said Sub-Inspector Cummings, was a wine merchant- carrying on business in Tory street. A constable had gone to the shop after 0 o’clock with the object, of purchasing a bottle of wine, was sold the beverage in. a bottle which bore no label, and which did not contain two gallons. He was further told that he could get wine m bottles any time he chose to call. The man, said the sub-inspector, had no more right to sell the wine after hours than had a licensee to sell liquor at that hour It was a question, said the sub-inspector, as to whether tho man was fit to be in possession of a license. Mr J. Scott said accused could neither read nor write English, being able only to sign liis own name. He could, however, read and write m Arabic It was possible that he had not properly understood tho law as hud out concerning his trade. In counted s opinion this was the first prosecution of its kind that had come before a Wellington magistrate. His Worship decided t-> give the defendant another chance, and would not deprive him of his license. Fillets wou.il, however, have to be imposed. For tho sale of the wine in the wrong quantity nccused wae fined £lO. A further fine of £5 was imposed for neglect to label the bottle. , Seven dayo were given m which to pay*