TOO MUCH DRINK

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 5, Issue 12, 4 February 1942, Page 5

TOO MUCH DRINK

MAGISTRATE'S WARNING

OFFENCES AT TE TEKO

"By reports I have received there seems to be more drunkenness at Te Teko than there should! be," commented Mr E. L. Walton, S.M., iat * yesterday's Court sifting when saying that for that reason the fines would be heavier for three Maoris charged. Tommy Holiepu was fined 10s with costs 17s and H. Hohepu and Jim Hika 10s with costs £1 Is respectively. Wm.. Hona who was found drunk In Whakatanc was ordered to pay costs totalling £1 3s. Supply to Natives Four charges were preferred against Oliver Stacey Murdoch involving supplying liquor to a native and taking liquor into the Rewarcwa Pa at Ruatoki. Constable O. S. Rice, of Taneotua, gave evidence to the effect that Murdoch had complied with a request from two natives and had obtained in one instance a case and in the.other four dozen small bottles. The liquor had been taken to the pa where the offender resided with his native w r ife. Mrs Murdoch had objected to the liquor being brought to tihe-' whare and a scene had resulted during which Murdoch assaulted his wife. He had been dealt with for that offence. Constable Rice added that the man was a decent citizen who rarely visited the hotel and who. shortly would he entering military camp. A letter was received from Murdoch stating that he was unable to J attend the court as he held a key position in a dairy factory and he sought lenient fines in view of the fact that he was soon to go into camp. "T cannot treat the case as trivial," remarked His Honour when imposing fines and costs totalling £10 7s. Natives Fined Taurua Tihi and Tei Nohotima, the natives involved were fined £4 with costs amounting to £1 2s refor aiding the commission of the offences.