XMAS HAMPERS

New Zealand Times, Volume LI, Issue 11784, 21 March 1924, Page 5

XMAS HAMPERS

CITY BUILDER FINED SELLING WINES ' AND SPIRITS WITHOUT LICENSE. BIG BUSINESS IN WAIRARAPA. (Special to “New Zealand Times.”) MASTER TON, March 20. The fact that James O. Wright, builder, of Wellington, and formerly of Carterton and Masterton, solicited orders for Christmas hampers in the Wairarapa in contravention of the Licensing Act proved a pretty costly business, as on Wednesday he was mulcted in lines totalling £SO at the Feathevston Magistrate’s Court. Ho was charged on five counts with selling liquor .without a license. AUTHORITY TO CANVASS. Sergeant Sweeney prosecuted, and Mr Lawson appeared for defendant, who pleaded not guilty. William H. Randal, secretary fo« Reginald Collins, Ltd., wine and spirit merchants, Wellington, stated that in September Wright was given authority to canvass for orders.

Janies F. Hardwick, manager for Harold Blown, Ltd., wine and spirit merchants, Wellington, said defendant called on his firm early in September stating he could place Christmas orders in the Wairarapa. He agreed to pay Wright a commission on the listed prices so long as the cash aooompanied the orders. He received an order for two cases of whisky for a resident of Featlierston, and later 9 cases of whisky and 20 dozen of ale were consigned to Wright at Neatherston. Five residents gave evidence as to ordering wine, spirits, and ale in bulk from Wright. PUBLICANS COMPLAIN.

Sergeant Sweeney stated that he interviewed Wright at Masterton. He was securing such a lot of orders that the publicans put in a complaint, and the firm cancelled the agency. Ho then canvassed for Reginald Collins and Harold Brown, Ltd. Defendant said he first approached Reginald Collins, Ltd., and was appointed their agent, and also received authority to canvass for orders for T. and W. Young and Harold Brown, Ltd. He sold at the firms’ listed prices, plus railage and cartage. He had to make three trips to one customer’s place as the goods did not arrive all at the one time. He had to break up cases to make up orders. CONVICTED AND FINED. The magistrate said a wholesale license was granted on tho distinct understanding that orders were to be delivered direct to the persons ordering them. It was a particularly dear case of a person selling liquor without a license. Defendant would be convicted on each charge. On the first he would be fined £lO and £4 6e costa, and on the remaining four £lO each and 10s oosts, making the total fines £6O. Defendant asked for time in which to pay the fine, and was told he could make arrarfgements with the police, provided he reported himself race weekly to the Wellington police.