AN ABRUPT ,ENDING

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2462, 15 May 1915, Page 3

AN ABRUPT ,ENDING

A CASE WITH "POOR EVIDENCE." There was rather an abrupt finish to a case brought by the Labour Department against John Williams, butcher, of Molesworth Street in the Magistrate's Court yesterday. The information against Williams was that he failed to close his shop at 7 p.m. in accordance with the requisition. Mr. E. P. Bunny appeared for defendant, who pleaded not guilty. Mr. W. Slaughter appeared for the Labour Department. The evidence of two witnesses was to the effect that the shop was closed about 7 p.m. and that about 8 p.m. a woman was seen to go to a side door at tho shop and come out with a parcel. One witness said the parcel contained a- leg of mutton.

"'That is your case, then?" inquired the Magistrate (Mr. D. G. A. Cooper, S.M.) at the conclusion of tho evidence.

Mr. Slaughter replied in the affirmative.

The Magistrate (promptly): There is no case to answer. There is not sufficient evidence. The information is dismissed.

Mr. Bunny asked for coßta. Tho case, he said, had boen responsible for defendant's entire staff being brought tp the Court, and as a result defendant's business had suffered. "There is not the slightest evidence that my client kept his shop open," said Mr.. Bunny. "Moreover, the Department might have informed me of tho nature of the evidence. I consider we are entitled to costs."

Mr. Slaughtor admitted that thero was no evidence. lie understood before the caso commenced the Department had a good case to bring. The Magistrate: The evidenco is very poor. I allow £1 lb. costs.