Health Dept. Prosecution "In View Prevalence of Disease"
A hawker was brought before Messrs, Martin and Kuan at the Mixed Court on Friday last charged with selling cut melons which had been exposed to flies Health Inspr, Burton informed the Bench that the prosecuton has been taken in view of the prevalence of choler The Assessor—Ian't it rather late the day to bring the charge now, when the cholera season is nearly ver? This is the first ease we have had before us.
Inspr, Burton—This is not the first ease I have had up in other courts here.
In answer to the Assessor, the Inspector said that seven deaths had occurred from cholera during the past week. Defendant had been in business for about 10 years to wit ness's knowledge and he knew the regulations well. He had been warned before and witness believed that he had last year been con-viered.
The Assessor—Yes, but. we cannot increase the penalty on your belief.
Inspr, Burton replied that the Council was acting in the interests. of public health and there was no intention on the part of the Public Health Department to be be harsh and aggressive in these regulations.
The Assessor. said the Court waderstood this, and there was such idea in their minds. The Court was doing its best to dispel the impression that the regulations were aggressive.
fining the accused $5, the Magistrate warned him that if he was brought before the Court! again on a similar charge he would he more severely dealt with. The matter was a serious one, but the Council and the Court had to he strict in the interests of the Lealth of the public.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.