MATCH FACTORY CASE.

Greymouth Evening Star, Volume XXXI, 22 April 1901, Page 4

MATCH FACTORY CASE.

(pee press association)

Wellington, April 19. In the Supremo Court, before Justice Elw.i-ds !• ->is" <vas brought by Pi. Bel! and Co against ihc Comnussicusc of Trade and Customs. The action was brought under ilie Customs Laws Consolidation Act, 1882, to test the question of liability to forfeiture of 593 cases of wax vesta consigned from London to Wellington. The boxes were stamped “K. Bell and Co, No 4. Established 1832, New Zealand.’’ Plaintiffs said that they had acted innocently.

Defendant justified the forfeiture under the “Customs Laws Consolidation Act and the Patents, Designs and Trade Marks Act, 1839.”

B. E. Bell, managing director in London, said that when the order came from New Zealand for the matches the company had a great quantity of boxes on hand stamped “New Zealand,” and sent these to the factory for Idling as ‘'London” boxes. They were generally shipped off as fast as they were filled. The clirec tors had not the slightest notion or intention of transgressing any law. There was profit on locally made matches, but not on those imported by the Pakeha. A witness for the defence said that li° would assume that the matches wer e made in London or New Zealand according to the marks. The more , ; aloabiu article was that marked “London.” His Honor reserved judgement.

SPORTING.

[Per Press Association.]

Wellington Trots. Wellington, April 20. For the Wellington Tiotting Club’s first day there was firm weather. Results: — Trial Handicap, saddle nr ha ness, 2 mile.—Trio 1, Brockleigh 2, Plunger 3. Time Cmin 3-ec. D;v £2 2s. Suburban Handicap, harness, 11 miles Onward 1, The Member 2 Silver Grey 3. Time 4inin 224 sees. Div 15s. Summer Handicap, s diile or harness, 2 miles—Billy Wilson 1, Sweet Marie 2, Modesty 3. Time smm 10-tes. Div £1 13s.

Px-ovincial Handicap, saddle or harness, 2 miles—Bcvenge 1, Cornet 2, Brookfield 8. Time smin 47]sece. Div, £2 3s. Stewards Handicap, Saddle, 1] miles— Naughty Girl 1, Joker 2. Fiona 2. Time, 3min lisecs. Div. 18s. Harness Handicap, 1 mile—The Member won. Time 2min 29 2-ssecs. Div on The Member £2 15s. Sweet Marie and The General who finished first and second, were disqualified for galloping. Domain Handicap, saddle, 1 mile — Naughty girl, 1; Vim, 2; Percwiti, 3. Time 2min 46sees. Div, £1 10s. All tlxe races were 10s tickets.