MARIE CORELLI FINED.

Colonist, Volume LX, Issue 14652, 5 March 1918, Page 3

MARIE CORELLI FINED.

HOARDING SUGAR TO MAKE PATRIOTIC JAM.

At the Police Court at Stratford-on-Avon on January 2nd (the "Daily ■Chronicle" reports) three summonses were heard against Miss Marie (Jorelli for "unlawfully acquiring between September, sth and November. 15th last sugar exceeding the quantity required for ordinary use for consumption.in her household."

The proceedings were taken under the Food Controller's Order against hoarding.

Mr Mordaunt Snagge, who prosecuted, said, the' household at Mason Croft, Miss Corelli's residence, consisted of seven persons. On the basis of £lb of sugar per person per week tho household would be entitled to receive during the period mentioned in the summonses 321b of sugar, whereas Miss Corelli obtained during the months of September 771b, October 711b,:and ■November'3llb. In addition to this she received 501b of preserving sugar. When the police called at Mason Croft, Miss •Corelli declared that she was a patriot, and that she would not think of hoarding articles of food. She added: "1 think the police are overstepping their duty in visiting my house, iou are upsetting the country altogether with

yonT food orders," she continued. "Lloyd George will be resigning to-mor-row, and thero will be a revolution in loss than a week."

Mr Joy ? for the defence, said the information would not hold good, as the1 sugar was used for iam-making, and! tile Order did- not apply to any home produce for home-made articles of food, or materials really necessary for the consumption of food. i Miss Vyyer, Miss Corelli's companion,! gavo evidence for the defence, and said there was now in the house 4701b of jam. Mr Joy contended that Miss Corelli had been'acting as a patriot in preserving her fruit for future use, and should not have been brought before the court at all.

The magistrates retired to consider the ease, and sat for a long time in private. When they returned into court, the chairman oi ohe bench said the magistrates were divided in opinion, but a majority considered that the case had been proved.

A fine of £50 was imposed on the first summons, with 20 guineas costs. The two other summonses were dismissed.

Mr Joy asked the magistrates to state a case, as an appeal would be entered against their decision.

Nearly one-seventh of the population of the United States are foreign born.