A scrap-metal business, under the same ownership as Wairarapa Scrap Metals in Masterton, has been fined $2000 for breaching the law relating to licensed second-hand dealers.
The charges against Hawke's Bay Scrap Metals were dealt with in the Masterton District Court yesterday. The company owner was absent but represented bysolicitor Peter Stevens.
The firm entered guilty pleas to failing to comply with the Second Hand Dealers Act on March 13 in Hastings.
One charge related to failing to affix a label to articles until such time as they were "sold or disposed of" and the other to failing to retain several articles the firm had acquired for 14 days from the date of a transaction.
Mr Stevens said the owner had been running Hawke's Bay Scrap Metals for 15 years and Wairarapa Scrap Metals since 1985 without previous convictions.
He said the problem had arisen whereby scrap metals brought in from registered electricians and plumbers had not been put aside but had been put into one heap.
The owners had quickly realised what had happened and taken measures to address it.
Judge Carrie Wainwright convicted the company on both charges, imposing a $1000 fine and costs of $132.89 on each charge.
