PROTECT MATCHES.

Otago Witness, Issue 3338, 6 March 1918, Page 24

PROTECT MATCHES.

IMPORTER FINED £5. A case of an interesting and unusual nature came before Mr T. A. B. Bailey, S.M., at the Magistrate's Court, Christ church,, on Wednesday (says the Press), when James Rodger, importer, was charged that he "did cause to be posted a postal packet containing a dangerous substance, to wit, matches, contrary to section 84 of 'The Post and Telegraph Act, 1908.' " Mr Cunningham, for the defence, pointed out that the case, as laid under section 84, was an indictable one, the defendant being liable to two years' imprisonment or a fine of £SO. He suggested that the charge might be reduced to come under section 83, referring to the posting of "noxious things." In that case it would be unnecessary to put the whole machinery of the Supreme Court in action over a single halfpenny box of matches. The charge could bo dealt with summarily, and he would advise his client to plead guilty. The defendant had acted with perfect bona fides in sending a sample box of matches to Japan. Chief Detective' M'llvcncy expressed doubt as to whether the matter could be dealt with under section 83. His Worship decided to deal with the case summarily under section 83. Evidence was given for the prosecution to the effect that safety matches were regarded as dangerous, and were quite capable of exploding. Mr Cunningham said that about the time the offence was committed there were "a lot of very rotten Japanese matches floating f-bout the country." Defendant had sent back a sample of them to Japan, and the result was much better matches. In proof of this contention Mr Cunningham made various gifts of boxes of the "improved" article to those in court, the of Rodger's design, being decorated in patriotic fashion, and their contents being of good quality. Mr Cunningham expressed the opinion that his client had become "a public benefactor" by his innocent breach of the iawf A fine of £5. with £3 8s lid costs, was .nflictad.