SHORT-WEIGHT BUTTER.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume VII, Issue 2030, 17 August 1920, Page 8

SHORT-WEIGHT BUTTER.

WANGANUI GROCER FINED. [Special to The Sun.] WANGANUI, August IG. A Wanganui grocer was charged In the Magistrate's Court to-day with exposing light-weight butter for sale on May 14. It was stated by defendant's counsel that a box of butter had been obtained from a local dairy factory, and had been just previously placed on the counter. When the Health Department's inspector called, the storekeeper, who had been busy during the day, had had no opportunity of testing the weight. On certain packets being weighed by the inspector, it was found that they were under weight, and the dairy company, on being informed, agreed to take back the short-weight butter. None of the butter had been sold. Though the inspector had brought the matter under the notice of the department, action had been taken only against the storekeeper. Counsel stated that the dairy company concerned had already been fined for selling light-weight butter. Senior-Sergeant Bourke stated that it was not the fault of the local Health Officer that the dairy company bad not been prosecuted. He pointed out that two fines had already been recorded against the company for similar offences—one of £2O and another of £25, and on three other charges, at the same time, the company was convicted without penalty. The Senior Sergeant added that he could not understand, personally, why the dairy company had not been prosecuted. The Magistrate said that there seemed to be no doubt that the dairy company was primarily to blame. It had already been caught at this game on previous occasions. However, the grocer himself undertook a certain amount of responsibility, as he was the medium of handing the butter on to the public. Senior-Sergeant Bourke remarked that six other pats of butter were weighed, and found to be 2oz short of the required weight. The Magistrate stated that he could not pass the offence over without imposing a penalty. The defendant would be fined 10/- with costs. The fact that defendant had incurred certain legal expenses in being brought before the Court would be taken into consideration.