On this day in Yorkshire 1949

When Eric Fairclough (39), formerly carrying on business as a butcher in Racecommon Road, Barnsley, was fined £l5 for offences against the Rabbits and Hares Prices Order at Barnsley yesterday, it was stated he had flown 12,000 miles from Australia to answer the summons.

Last night Mr. Fairclough was resting at his father-in-law’s home in Park Grove. Barnsley, after a round trip of 24,000 miles in a little over three weeks.

He left England on May 26, arriving in Sydney four days later. After only nine days in Australia he was on his way back to answer the summons.

He told “The Yorkshire Post”: “I did not know the summons had been issued until I received a letter from my wife after arriving in Sydney. She and the baby were to follow me later. I had been looking round Sydney to see what the prospects were for getting a job.

In fact they were good, but as soon as I learned of the summons I booked seat in the ‘plane leaving for England that night.

The two trips have cost over £5OO. “I do not think I could have settled in Australia knowing about the summons. I am pleased I have cleared it up. Australia is a wonderful country and I may return, but the great problem there is finding accommodation. The housing situation is far worse than here.”

At the Court hearing, Mr. W. Winter, prosecuting for the Ministry of Food, alleged that Fairclough had charged above the maximum prices for rabbits when two Food Officials called on January 12.

He told an inspector: “They cost me 4s. each and I do not make a penny out of them. What can I do? I have to get something for my customers and I have to pay over the odds to get any rabbits.”

Defending, Mr. P. Brown said that though the maximum price had been exceeded, Fairclough still sold the rabbits at slight loss in order to oblige his customers.

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