CITY POLICE COURT

Evening Star, Issue 3920, 16 September 1875, Page 2

CITY POLICE COURT

Thursday, September 16. (Before H. rf. Fiah, Esq., and J. S. Hickson Esq., J.IVs.)

Dhunkenhbss.—Arthur Josling was fined ss.

Dangerous Goods Act.—Michael Dundon store-keeper, Anderson's Bay. was charged, on the information of Kovenue Officer Lumb with having, on the 21st tilt., unlawfully kept sixteen gallons of petroleum on his premises, not being duly licensed to do bo under the Dangerous Goo<ls Act, 1869. Mr Harris appeared for the defendant.—lnformant stated that on the 21st ult. he procured samples of kerosene from four separate cases in the store of defendant and submitted them to Professor Black for the purpose of being tested. On the 6th iust. they were reported to him as being dangerous goods, and on the same day he intimated to defendant that thoy were so, and cautioned him to remove it. In order to fortify himself with the proper authority ho seized it under search warrant, and deposited it in the kerosene bond appropriated by the Corporation for that purpose.— Cross-, xamiued: Witness had visited every house nnd wholesale htore in Dunedin, but had been unable to ascertain either the name of the imuorter or accredited agent. The tins he had opened were original packets as imported.—Professor Black, Provincial Analyst, gave testimony regarding a test of the samples produced, which he did not consider of a, highly dangerous nature. --- Mr Harris submitted that there could be no conviction, inasmuch as samples had not buen taken of the sixteen gallons, and, further, that the tests had not been conducted in accordance with the Act —Mr Fish said the case might fairly be dismissed on these uoints. Ho considered these prosecutions most misohievous to the trade in Duuedin. It was only bv stretching the Act to an unreasonable extent that it could be held to apply to oil, samples of which had been produced. The case would be dismissed.—lnformant stated liis intention of appealing to tho Supreme Court.—Similar charges against Ihos. Hefferm.ni, Ar hj. Moir, and John iiseley were dismissed.