Alleged Profiteering

Hokitika Guardian, 7 April 1921, Page 4

Alleged Profiteering

SALK OF SURGICAL ROOTS

AUCKLAND. Apiil I. The bearing ol the delence in the ense in which Ernest F. Learning, bootmaker. Queen street, is charged with having sold a pair of surgical bonis at a price which tun uiiirnsoiiabH high, iiamelv. Cl IBs Rd, was resumed before Mr F. U. Cut ten, S.M., in the -Magistrate’s Court to-day. William .James llammill. •i'ornieiTy

managing director 01. and a partner in Murray and Co., Ltd., and president of l|.-> New Zealand Loot Mall! I tael tll'ci s

Association, said iVmi the tost ol pro duct ion and durabilit y point ol view the defendant's boots could not be laii |v compared with ordinary factory made boots.

Cro.-s-exa mined, wit ties-. .-:-:d that >. I Ins Cd was a fair pihv in tie light oi Ihe price ot labour and mateiial.-. quoted by the deieridam. The Magistrate asked wit Ties-; in what manner he had luoughl m knowledge I, ; fear on l 1 o ce.se 9 he had taken defendant's word lor the ol pinduc-

Witnes:. u-plied that h< li-od his techhire! knowledge of prodm-t ion. the output, end time taken. After further quest inning, she Magistrate remarked that, after all. witness gale evidence only on iiitormation sup|,!i.,| by defendant at bis tactorv when

Dr I’urclias said lie knew ol no otlici manufacturer in Auckland who supplied a i vpc of surgical hoot constructed to afford fixed support to the arch ol tne foot. Witness had sent patients to defendant. Recently, a wounded officer who had been titled with a surgical hoot at the London Orthopaedic Ho-pilal bad ordered a new pair of boots from defendant.. and alter wearing them said tliev were cheaper and ol belter workmanship than the pair lie obtained in England. Witness had Intitul dclctidant export at making hoots to special measurements, an accomplishment not possessed I>v ordinary makers.

Ira Joseph Sutherland, managing salesman for Sutherland and (0., tanners, said defendant always bought the lies! quality leather. The ease was adjourned.