WORDING OF CHARGE QUERIED

Chronicle (Levin), 15 December 1947, Page 4

WORDING OF CHARGE QUERIED

COUNSEL ADVISES CLIENT NOT TO PLEAD A cftarge -against Walter John Barrat, of the B.B.C. Store, Oxford Street, Levin, brought by the Crown under the Rationing Emergency Regulations, took a surprismg turn when it came before Mr. A. M. Goulding,, S.M., in the Magistrate's Court, Levin, on Friday. Appearing for defendant, Mr N. M. Thomson said that it was a case in which he had advised his client not to plead. The charge, he concended, should be struck out, as it did not comply with the requirements of a good information. The charge against Barrat was that of failing to account for rationed goods, namely 1,095 lbs. of suaar. The rationing inspector was represented by Sergeant W. Grainger. The only date specified on the charge, September 1, happene-d to be only the date on which the inspector had made his visit, said Mf. "Thomson. In point of fact, it was the second of two visits. Nowhere in the charge were any other specified dates or facts in relation to the alleged shortages, or the periods which they allegedly covered, Defendant should not be •place'd in a position where he could later face a 'second accusation for portions of the same period. He should not be -placed in- danger twice. There was some substance in what Mr. Thomson had said, and he had raised an important question as to what particulars should be given in respect of rationing charges, commented Mr. Goulding. A police offieer could: not be expected to meet such legal con--tentions, and he would adjourn the hearing till the January court so that the Crown solicitor could be informed of the objection and be present to contest the matter.