Honey Inquiry Offered

Press, Volume CV, Issue 31004, 9 March 1966, Page 3

Honey Inquiry Offered

“The Press’* Special Service ROTORUA, March 8.

The Government has agreed to an independent inquiry to determine the amount of compensation owed to Springfield Apiaries, Ltd., after the seizure in 1963 by the Health Department of honey worth £22,000. Arrangements will be made

immediately to pay the com-i pany £47so—the amount or- ■ iginally offered as an ex gratia i payment. This payment will stand whatever the result ofj the inquiry. 1i The Government and I Springfield Apiaries are ex-p pected to agree to accept the outcome of the inquiry. ' The honey was seized after i tests by a Government scien- ! tist showed it to be poisonous, | I The company appealed against the seizure and the 1 Health Department was asked!: to give evidence in Court on;i how and why the honey was I i adjudged toxic. 11

I The evidence was never | given and the department said I the company could nave the i honey back. At the same time j it admitted the tests were not completely reliable. The seizure is said to have cost the company £15.000. The Government decision. I reached at a Cabinet meeting, j was conveyed by telephone to I Mr J. D. Dillon, lawyer for [Springfield Apiaries. The managing director of the company, Mr W. L. Holt, (said the £4750 would adow the : company to continue in business until a settlement was !reached.