MAGISTRATE'S COURT.Before Mr. W. G. liiddell, S.M.) TOBACCO SALES A SIDE-LINE. CHINESE SUCCEED. DEPARTMENT'S CASE DROPPED. A somewhat interesting point hearing on tho Shops and Offices Act was decided at the Magistrate's Court, before Mr. V. G. Riddell. S.M., yesterday morning. The question was whether Chinese fruiterers who sold tobacco, etc., came with in the provisions of the gazetted regulation fixing the time of closing of shops selling tobacco, cigars, and cigarettes in the city oi Wellington. Five Chinese, Yong Lee, Kee Chong, On Kee, Wing Lee and Co., and J. Wong Wah and Co., were charged, on the information of the Inspector of Awards (Mr Le Cren), with hving failed to close their shops at 8 p.m. on Thursday last. Acting under instructions of the Chinese Consulate, Mr. E. G. Jeilicoe appeared for the defendants. The Department was represented by Mr H H Ostler. He stated that he had only received the papers on the previous evening, but after looking into them he had advised the Department that no offence had been committed, and that the prosecution could not therefore succeed He therefore asked leave to withdraw the Information. His explanation of this application for leave lo withdraw, Mr. Ostler went on to say that the mistake had arisen (through an erroneous interpretation of Sub-section. http://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/cgi-bin/paperspast?a=d&d=DOM19111005.2.9.2&cl=search&srpos=43&e=-------100-DOM-1----0chong--&st=1 Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1248, 5 October 1911, Page 3