OLD POTATOES SOLD AS NEW

Timaru Herald, Volume CLVIII, Issue 23288, 25 August 1945, Page 7

OLD POTATOES SOLD AS NEW

Illicit Profit Of £376 Defendant Mulcted Heavily (N.Z.P.A.) AUCKLAND. Aug. 24. An order that lie should pay into the War Expenses Account the whole of his illicit profit, amounting to £376, was made against Douglas Needham by Mr J. Morling, S.M.. in a reserved decision. The defendant had pleaded guilty to a charge of selling 3' tons of main crop potatoes to Turners and Growers Ltd. for £4OB 8 6. the authorised price being £32 5 “The defendant had employed some workers to wash the potatoes carefully so as to present the appearance of new potatoes.” said the Magistrate ’He sold them as such, but the evidence clearly shows that, in fact, tliey were old potatoes. After careful consideration T am unable to find any valid reason why h° should retain any portion of the illicit profit.” It could be said in defendant's favour that hi’ was straightforward when interviewed by an olficir from the Department regarding the sale. He did not. by false evidence, endeavour to hide the fact that he had. with a full knowledge of the legal positic-n. •acted wrongly. Those factors, however, did not effect the question of forfeiture of the profit to which he was not entitled. Any money would have to be paid into., the War Expenses Account, as provided under relevant seel ion. Defendant was fined £5 for rhe actual off ico and ordered to ray costs 'The Magistrate added that the offence was the first of its kind as far as he was aww'C- and heavier per ’ ies would probably be Imposed in future.