POSTED MATCHES

Press, Volume LIV, Issue 16148, 28 February 1918, Page 6

POSTED MATCHES

AN UNUSUAL CHARGE.

IMPORTER FINED £5

A caso of an interesting and unusual nature came before Mr T. A, B. Bailey, S.M., at the Magistrate's Court yesterday, when James Rodger, importer, of Christchurch (Mr Cuningham), was charged, that he "did cause to be posted a postal packet containing a dangerous substance, to wit, matches, contrary to Scction 84 of the Post and Telegraph Act, 1908." Mr Cuningham pointed out that the case, as laid under Section 84, was an indictable one, the defendant being liable to two years' imprisonment or a fine of £50. He suggested that the charge might be reduced to come under Section B<2, referring to the posting ol "noxious things." In that case it would be unnecessary to put the whole machinery of the Supreme Court in action over a single nalfpenny box of matches. The charge could be dealt with summarily, and he would advise his client to plead guilty. Tho defendant had acted with perfect bona fides in sending a sample box rf matches to Japan. Chief-Detective Mcllveney expressed doubt as to whether the matter could be dealt with under Section 83. His Worship decided to deal with the case summarily under Section 83. Evidence was given for the prosecution to the effect that safety matches were regarded as dangerous, and were quite capable of exploding. Mr Cuningham said that about the tune the offence was cofnmitted, there were "a lot of very rotten Japanese matches floating apout the country." Defendant had sent back a sample of them to Japan, and the result vas much better matches. In proof of this contention Mr Cuningham made various gifts of boxes of the "improved" article to those in Court, the boxes, of Rodger's design, being decorated in patriotic fashion, and their contents being c f gocd quality. Mr Cuningham expressed the opinion that his client had become a public benefactor" by his innocent breach of the law. A fine of £o, with £3 8s lid costs, vas inflicted. '