MILITARY CONTRACTS.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXVII, Issue 17281, 23 September 1916, Page 8

MILITARY CONTRACTS.

AND THE PROSECUTION.

[Pee Pbkss Association - .]

WELLINGTON, September 22.

A case somewhat similar to one already heard in connection with military contracts was ventilated before Mr L. G. Reid, S.M V at the Magistrate's Court to-day, when. H. G. Bedell, clothing manufacturer, was charged that on July 10. 1916, at Wellington, he did wilfully break a con' tract mad© by him. with the i Crown on January 10, 1916, for tho purposes of the present war, to wit, a contract for the supply of military garments, by delivering to the Crown in pursuance of that contract certain goods which were not in accordance with the terms thereof, contrary to regulation; 1 12 of the War Regulations, dated No-" vomber 15. 1915, made pursuant Jto tha War Regulations Act, 1914. Mr T> : Young appeared for the defendant and* Mr P. S. K. Macassey on behalf of the Crown.

Mr Young said that defendant would plead guilty to the facts as would be outlined by Mr Macassey. Mr Macassey said tide facts were that Bedell made a contract with the Crown on January 10, 1916, to supply 100 tunic garments per week. Up till July 19 ho had supplied .2720 tunics, and it was discovered, that he wag using cotton and his contract was cancelled. The contract, added Mr Macassey, was a very email one, and defendant's case was a quite different one hi almost every respect from Levy's case. At the commencement of his contract Bedell used linen thread of the quality specified. SubsequenfeIy he used the very best cotton thread obtainable and ho procured it" to match the khaki colour. Counsel believed that although Bedell knowingly broke his contract he was actuated by no desire to make a profit for himself or to cause loss to the Department. A severe penalty was not asked for.* The Magistrate said that taking alt the circumstances into consideration he would be lenient and inflict a fine of £lO and costs (7s).