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Colonist, Volume LXI, Issue 15041, 8 April 1919, Page 7

The unsatisfactory nature of shipping communication Tasmania and the mainland, especially with Sydney, is causing great inconvenience (states a Sydney exchange). Fruitgrowers are suffering from losses owing to their inability to ship fruit to market. As for imported fruits, they have been unobtainable for over a month. It is impossible to buy an orange, pineapple, banana, or passion fruit-in Hobart at the present -moment. The Government is considering the situation, and there is a renewal of the agitation in favour !of the establishment of'a State steairij ship service.

At the Magistrate's .Court in. Palmer-' ston^ before Mr E. Page, S.M., Leslie William Richards pleaded guilty to a charge of supplying a returned soldier with intoxicating liquor, but pleaded absolute ignorance of the fact that ;n doing so he ivas committing any offence.. It appeared that he is a returned soldier and that he met the man to wliom he supplied the liquor at the railway station. The man, stating that he did not wish! to leave the platform, asked Richards to] purchase the liquor for. him, giving him the necessary money. Richards went to an hotel, made: the purchase, returned to the platform, and openly handed over the liquor in the actual presence of a police constable. His Worship said it was evident 'the defendant ihad been ignorant of the War Regulations, under i which he had rendered himself liable to ■a, 'heavy penalty. Under the circumstances, Mr Page added only a fine of 1 £1, with costs 2s, would.be imposed, "out he hoped the would be a warning against similar offences in the future.