ALLEGED PROFITEERING.

Taranaki Daily News, 2 August 1920, Page 6

ALLEGED PROFITEERING.

MTLTC AT 8d PER QUART. CASE FURTHER ADJOURNED. The hearing of the charge against John Hale, dairyman, of selling milk at 8d per quart, claimed to be an unreasonably high price, was resumed at the New Plymouth Magistrate's Court on. Saturday, Mr. T. A. B. Bailey, S.M., presiding. The next witness for the defence, Hugh Baily, public accountant, reported the result of making an investigation of Hale's business. Miss Hale kept some records, and from these witness compiled an analysis. This showed the milk actually sold; it was a fact that a serious loss was sustained in measuring out pints and half-pints, and it was estimated that an average of about twenty per cent more milk was nee<Ted in order to allow for this loss. Hale's bank book and had been investigated and the salient features summarised. The total cost last season for feed, seeds, and manure, namely, £509 Is 2d, seemed a big amount, but on inquiry it was learned that one jimonnt alone was £lO3 18s 4d, most Of which was for bran and linseed meal. In the total there sere included other firmft' accounts for such sums as £133 10s, ,£34, £62 7s, and £49 13s. Mortgages totalled £4550, and the interest was £359 6s fid, a proportion of which ,\vas allowed for the part of the farm usad for dairying purposes. Wages wero lififed at £689 13a 7d. This was made up of amount paid to one man, £Bl 16s; casual wages £B7 17s 2d; Hale's three sons, who worked entirely on the farm, £l3O each, £390; Miss Hale, £l3O. He considered that the three sons were worth £l3O each, which Hale said they were paid, while Miss Hale was occupied in keeping accounts and assisting with milking on occasions. Repairs and renewals were also enumerated. Witness said he was also secretary to a number of dairy companies, and touching on the evidence given at the opening of the hearing by Mr. Garner (who was called on behalf of the Board),

lie said he diil think a fair comparison could be made between delivering millc or a town run and supplying to a factory. Hale's milk was sold on quantity, whereas at a factory payment was made on a butter basis;. As a high-testing herd Hale's cows would probably return more than the average. The case was adjourned at this stage till next Thursday, in'order to enable his Worship to take evidence on commission in another urgent case, in which were concerned three officers of the vessel C. S. Holmes, aiuT it was stated that it was of some importance that the ship should sail that afternoon. j