Alleged Hoarding at Hill Hall Both Summonses Dismissed

At Epping Petty Session on Friday, before A.J. Edwards Esq. (chairman), Sir Victor Buxton, Bart., E.A. Ball, A. W. Leech, W.W. Nicholls, P.g. Thompson, C. W. Skinner, and E. J. Wythes, Esqrs., Mary Hunter, Hill Hall, Theydon Mount, widow of Lt.-Col C.E. Hunter, was summoned under the Food Hoarding Order in respect of tea and sugar alleged to exceed the requirements of her household – the quantities being 49lb of tea and 98lb of sugar. Mr E. J. Naldrett, instructed by Mr Arnold Richardson prosecuted on behalf of the Ongar Food Control Committee, and Mr. H. A Colefax, K.C., and Mr. C. E. Jones defended.

Mr Naldrett said since the proceedings were instituted the Appeal Court had decided that tea was not an article of food and with the consent of the Bench he would withdraw this summons. The Bench allowed the case to be withdrawn.

In the sugar case, Mr Naldrett said that P.s. Denny and two constables visited the defendant’s premises early on the morning of Jan. 28. Mrs Hunter was not at home and the housekeeper showed them the storeroom where they found the 98lb of sugar referred to, and took it away. The housekeeper said the sugar was kept for the purpose of making jam this year. If that were so it was not the right thing to do as sugar required for jam-making had to be obtained in a particular way. A person might be allowed to save some out of rations, but the quantity seized at Hill Hall was not so saved. Before the police left, a daughter of Mrs Hunter invited them to search the house, but nothing further was found. The tradesman with whom Mrs Hunter was registered for sugar supplied her between April 10 and Dec 28 of last year with 518lb of sugar, ad from Jan 12 to Jan 26, when the rationing order was in force, with 33½lb. The average number of persons registered was 16. If there were other people at the house they should have been registered with their own grocer, and Mrs Hunter had no right to supply them with sugar.

P.s. Denny said there was no attempt to conceal anything. Augustus Hills, grocer, Epping, said 22 persons were registered at the house, and they were supplied with less sugar in January than they were entitled to. Mrs Hunter’s groceries included sugar, had been reduced by about one-third of the total supply formerly ordered. C. F. Lintott, Inspector under the Enforcement of Orders branch of the Ministry of Food, said he searched Mrs Hunter’s London house, but found only small supplies.

Mr Colefax contended that there was absolutely no evidence of hoarding. Voluntary rationing has been put into operation by Mrs Hunter before the Government’s scheme came out, and the servants were given a corresponding increase in wages. The number of people at Hill Hall fluctuated considerably, and the number staying there at the beginning of the year was nearer 40 than 16. In January, although Mrs Hunter was entitled to 45lb., she only had 33½lb. of sugar. If there was any accumulation of stores it arose from the fact that people were eating less than they were entitled to. Mrs Hunter said she had no intention whatsoever of hoarding. The Hall had been used as a convalescent home for soldiers till October, when it had been closed, as the work was too much for the doctor. There was a possibility of its being re-opened. There has been a number of shoots at the Hall, but the game were not artificially fed, and they were afterwards sent to hospitals. Mrs Yates, housekeeper, said the sugar was the accumulation of her savings.

The Bench retired, and on their return the Chairman said they had decided to dismiss the case as the Bench did not consider there had been any contravention of the Order, They allowed no costs in that case, but in the case which was withdrawn they allowed £5 5s costs. Mr Colefax: I hope we shall get both our tea and sugar back.