SHORT-WEIGHT BREAD.

Waipa Post, Volume XII, Issue 944, 20 May 1920, Page 5

SHORT-WEIGHT BREAD.

A STOREKEEPER IN COURT.

CASE ADJOURNED FOR A MONTH.

An intricate point of law was raised in the Magistrate’s Court at Te Awamutu on Tuesday, before Mr E. W. Burton, S.M., when W. H. Bell, of Pirongia, general storekeeper (Mr Oliphant) was charged with the sale of short-weight bread.

The prosecuting police officer was informed by the Health Department’s inspector of the offence, to which accused pleaded guilty. Mr Oliphant stated that a peculiar position had arisen. Bell was really the purveyor of the bread, and was, in fact, the largest customer of the manufacturer of the bread.

The magistrate asked whether Mr Oliphant would disclose the name of the maker, in the interests of the public. Mr Oliphant: The man’s name has been known to the police for some time.

Mr Burton: The real offender, then, should be brought forth. Police evidence showed that 'the Health Department’s inspector had visited Bell’s store at Pirongia recently, and had purchased a loaf of bread, which he found weighed loz 12drms short. Nine other loaves were found to be of short weight. The magistrate held that he would convict, and sentence would be deferred until the manufacturer of the bread appeared before the court —in a month’s time. The storekeeper was really a purveyor.