PROFITEERING.

Hokitika Guardian, 17 November 1920, Page 1

PROFITEERING.

• -—>-*•« •«-<- (Per Press Association.) CHARGES ABOUT CIGARETTES. CHRISTCHURCH, November 16. Nine charges of profiteering against three local firms and one Lyttelton firm were called at the Magistrate's, Court to-day before Mr McCarthy, S.M. The informant was the Secretary of the New Zealand Board of 'Trade, and the defendants were—Aitcheson Steans Co general merchants, Christchurch; Benjamins Ltd. merchants, Christchurch; Bernard Darby (trading as Wallace and "Co) chemists, Christchurch; and Forbes Ltd., Ironmongers, Lyttelton. ( Mr A. T. Donnelly appeared for the informant. Thje first charge against Aitcheson Steans and Co., was that they did self 1.000 “Clarence” cigarettes at die price of £3 2s 2d per thousand whhh was unreasonably high, and contrary to the Statute. Similar charges were laid in respect of “Clarence” cigarettes sold by the same firm to other persons. • Benjamins were charged with selling 1000 “Clarence” cigarettes at an unreasonably high price £3 2s 2d per thousand. The charge against Forbes was they offered to sell rabbit traps at 37s per dozen which was unreasonably high. Bernard) Darby was charged with having sold half a gallon of Borol at a price unreasonably high, £2 os. Mr Donnelly said that as fair as the charges against AitchLson and Steans, Benjamin, and Forbes were concerned, it would be imposs.ibde to contend that an unreasonable profit had been made, taking the replacement east into account. His Worship had decided in jthe “alarm clock” cases that the cost of replacement was to be taken into account, and as this decision had_ been upheld by the Full Court it would be idle to proceed with the cases. In consequence counsel asked that these cases he withdrawn. As far as the charge against Mi' N&rby was concerned, however, it was on a different footing. It .Was proposod to go on with tin's case. Counsel asked for an adjournment. The application was granted. The remnndcr of the cases were withdrawn.