FAILED TO CLOSE

Waikato Times, Volume 127, Issue 21228, 26 September 1940, Page 2

FAILED TO CLOSE

OFFENCE BY FRUITERER A charge of failing to close his shop at 6 p.m. as required by the regulations was preferred against Charles William Martin, confectioner, of Claudelands (Mr W. J. King) before Mr S. L. Paterson, S.M., in the Magistrate’s Court, Hamilton, today. The charge was brought by the inspector of factories, Mr F. W. Ashby, and a plea of guilty was entered. The offence took place on September 11, said Mr Ashby, and Martin had previously been warned to comply with the regulations. On one occasion he had his shop open until 6.50 p.m. and on another until almost 8 p.m. As his reason he said that another fruiterer across the road kept his premises open until after the prescribed hours and defendant did not wish to lose business. It was really a pitiful case, for Martin had had one leg amputated and had three children to support from his business.

Mr King said that the opposition fruiterer across the road had his premises open and Martin did not think it was fair that he should have to lose custom through it. “Normally I would inflict a heavy penalty in this kind of case,” said the magistrate. “However, I do not wish to do that in this instance, and I do not think the department wants it. All the department wants is that the law be complied with.” A nominal penalty of 10s and costs was imposed.