South Yorkshire Times, May 9th, 1953.
Sunday Motor Auctions at Conisbrough: Firm Fined
Sunday motor auctions at Conisbrough were termed “flagrant breach of the Law” by Col. W. St. A. Warde-Aldam (Chairman), at Doncaster West Riding Courtt on Thursday.
“The Bench very much regret that the biggest fine they can give is £5,” he said, after Hopkinson’s Motor Auctions Ltd., Sheffield Road, Conisbrough, had pleaded “Guilty” to selling cars on a Sunday, contrary to the Shops Act of 1950.
Mr. J. Wright (prosecuting) said although the Act permitted the sale of motor spares and accessories on Sundays, it did not cover complete cars. One Sunday, Sgt. L. Johnson attended Hopkinsons’ sale. There were several hundred people present and about 40 cars for sale. He actually saw seven cars sold.
Buyers were instructed that cheques should be made payable the following day, but this device did not put the transactions outside the Act. The matter had been reported by Inspector Menmuir to the secretary of the company, but the Sunday auctions had continued to take place. Sgt. Johnson told the court there had been about 300 to 400 cars at the sale.
Mr. M. W. Field, for the company, said they had started Sunday auctions because there had been such a public demand for them. This demand had increased and they had a 3,000 signature petition supporting the auctions. The week before the police sergeant had visited the sale, a clergyman had been present. There were not many houses near the auction site and before the sales had begun, the company had made sure there would be no objections from people living nearby.