ADULERATION PREVENTION ACT AMENDMENT ACT.

Kumara Times, Issue 2321, 5 February 1884, Page 2

ADULERATION PREVENTION ACT AMENDMENT ACT.

In the Resident Magistrate's Court, Stafford on Thursday last, 31st ult., before J. Giles, Esq., R.M., an information was laid by Richard Jolly, for the Hokitika Bakers Association, against Matthew Doyle, baker, of Stafford, for that he (Jolly) on the 25th. January last, purchased a loaf of bread from the said Matthew Doyle ; that he asked for a large batch loaf meaning a 41b loaf, for which he paid 6d, and he took the same loaf down to Mr Rowcliffe, and got it weighed aud found that it barely turned the scale at 31b, thence he took it to Mr Smith's, the baker, and the weight corresponded with that of Mr Rowcliffe's, and he was authorised to take these proceedings by the " Baker's Association, Hokitika." Mr Purkiss appeared for the informant, and briefly stated that the information was laid under sections 4 and 5 of " The Adulteration Act Amendment A.ct, 1883," which only became law on the Ist December last.

Messrs W. Smith and D. Rowcliffe, each gave evidence as to the weighing of the bread brought to them by Dick Jolly, as purchased by him from M. Doyle, but it came out in cross-examin-ation, that the batch loaf in. queseiou, which was produced, was branded by M. Doyle with his initials, " M. D. " and

it was also shewn that the loaf was marked in Roman letters, thus, II 21b one; which M. Doyle stated, that he made it for, and sold it for.

In dismissing the information, his Worship remarked that, though the Act allowed any private person to prosecute, he was rather reluctant in undertaking a prosecution from the Bakers Association, as he did not think the Act was framed for the protection of the bakers, but for the protection of the public. But as the loaf was marked for a 21b one, though it weighed 31bs, if a customer ascertained the price of bread per lb, to be 2d, be would not be bound to pay more than 4d for the 31bs. The Court then adjourned.