FOUND WITH AMERICAN STORES

Southland Times, Issue 25350, 29 April 1944, Page 4

FOUND WITH AMERICAN STORES

Two Men Heavily Fined (PA.) AUCKLAND, April 28. Several men who were found with American stores appeared before Mr •J. H. Luxford, S.M., today. Dick Llewellyn Claridge pleaded not guilty of being in possession of quantities of canned apples and beans and of having bottles of distilled spirits. It was stated that when the police raided his home produce and liquor were found there. In his car were found a number of caps of the type used for bottle tops and a recipe for making whisky. What appeared to be a draft copy of a bottle label was found in his wallet. It was worded: “For the finest mellowed, wellmatured whisky, brandy, gin, rum, wines and liqueurs patronize • this house.”

The accused, who formerly owned a dry-cleaning and pressing business, denied the suggestion that he returned from an American Navy camp where he had a cleaning contract with any of the goods concerning which the charge was laid. A naval petty officer had left the produce with him for safe keeping. He denied further the suggestion by the prosecution that every suit which came to his shop for pressing had a bottle of spirit in one of the pockets. Birnie Ronald Trainor, who said he had purchased a three-quarter interest .in one of the accused’s two shops, gave evidence that three bottles of liquor had been left at the accused’s home by him after a party. The Magistrate said it was quite clear that Claridge was guilty. On the liquor charge he was fined £lOO and on the other charge he was fined £25. Appearing for William Neil Rosenfeldt, who pleaded not guilty to having a quantity of American hardware, clothing and assorted foodstuffs, counsel claimed that many of the goods were given to the accused with the consent of the commanding officer at an American Army camp before the unit left New Zealand.

The accused said he placed no value on the tinned food, but it was difficult to dispose of. He was convicted and fined £2O. Arthur Maitland Farnall admitted possession of 340 American cigarettes and four bottles and one part bottle of spirit. He was fined £lOO.