PAWNBROKERS' LICENSES.

Evening Star, Issue 4313, 22 December 1876, Page 2

PAWNBROKERS' LICENSES.

At the Resident Magistrate's Court this morning, Reuben Hartfs application for a renewal of his pawnbroker's license was supported by Mr Denniston and opposed bv the Police. * Inspector Mallard stated that he had given notice to Mr Hart that objection would be made to the renewal of his license on the ground that his books were not kept in a legible manner according to the Act. He (the Inspector) also led Mr Hart to infer that the Police would raise another objection—that they did not get that assistance which they should have received from him to recover stolen property. Mr Denniston said he had come prepared to meet the small objection re the books, and complained that the greater charge had been made without previous notice in a ' Court of Justice. Reuben Hart deposed that for about six years he had held a pawnbroker's license in Dunedin. He had also been engaged in the same business in Melbourne and Hokitika. To-the police he had always given ready assistance. Witness could not read and write, and his sjn therefore kept his books. As they djd not appear to have been properly

kept, he would advertise in the Star this evening for a competent clerk, and send hie I ion to 80hool again. The " biggeat pawn-1 broker in Loudon" never attended to his books himself. When Inspector Mallard informed witness on Tuesday that the application would be opposed, he advised him to get some one to represent him. His Worship pointed out that if a pawnbroker did not sign his certificates, he was liaUe to a penalty not exceeding L6O. Detective Bain deposed that when Donnelly committed several burglaries in Dunedin Mr Hart did not readily deliver up a cornet which had been pawned in his shop by Donnelly. Witness called upon Mr Hart with reference to the cornet, but he did not tell him that he had taken it in pledge. On ar other occasion when some medals were stolen and afterwards pawned in Mr Hart's shop, he gave them up at once when witness described them.

Reuben Hart deposed that Detective Bain never called upon him with regard to the cornet.

Detective Neill gave evidence as to recovering stolen goods in Mr Hart's shop. His Worship granted the application, with the warning that the police would see that Mr Hart's books and pawn tickets were strictly conformable to law. There could be no leaning in favor of the pawnbroker. If he did not comply with the Act in the minutest particular, he must be prosecuted according to the Statute. If any pawnbrokers were brought before him (the Magistrate) for failing to render assistance to the police, he would deprive them of their licenses without the slightest Bcruple.