LAWYER AND MAGISTRATE.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1350, 30 January 1912, Page 4

LAWYER AND MAGISTRATE.

A FINE REDUCED. One of the lawyers who appeared at tho Magistrate's Court yesterday considered that the penalty which had been imposed 011 his client was too heavy. He told the Magistrate his opinion, and his Worship reduced tho fine. .. It- was a caso in which a milk vendor pleaded guilty to a charge of selling milk which, oil analysis, did not satisiy the Foods Inspector. In pleading guilty, Mr. Ward, counsel for the defence, said that the defendant was quite innocent of tho cliarge, but, nevertheless, could not do otherwise than plead guilty; lie had not interfered with tho milk, but it had been found to be below tho standard. Mr. Ward considered that his client was entitled to leniency. Mr. A. Crooke, S.M. (who is doing relieving work here): It is highly important that milk should bo kept pure. Yon will bo fined £5.

Mr. Ward: Will your Worship make it vES Is. to allow an appeal? Someono romarkcu; lie has pleaded guilty. His Worship: Appeal on what ground? Mr. Ward hesitated. Another lawyer passed somo remarlc in a low tone to Mr. Ward, and the latter than addressed the Court with some observations ooneerning "the standard." Ho continued: "£o does seem a very heavy penalty for this offence. There is no suggestion of malice. If I may bo allowed to inform your Worship, ,tl to .£2 has been the usual penalty here for such offences."

His Worship, to Sub-Inspector Sheehan Is that so?

Sub-Inspector Sheehan answered that about .£2 to J!2" 10s. was, he thought, the usual fine.

His Worship: Very well, I don't wish to make Irish penalties during; the short time I am here. Of course, I don't lcnnw what the custom is, but I will reduce the penalty. Defendant will bo fined .£2.