MAGISTRATE'S COURT.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1415, 16 April 1912, Page 3

MAGISTRATE'S COURT.

(Before Dr. M'Arthur, S.M.) SUNDAY GROG STORES. THREE MEX FIXED BY COURT. POLICE METHODS. SYSTEM 01? CAPTURE DETAILED. At the Magistrate's Court yesterday, Archie Doraii was charged with having illegally sold whisky to David Wallace on .Sunday, March i\. Doran, who was represented by Mr. E. M. Sladdcn, pleaded not guilty." Archibald West and John Pearson were charged with having been on Doran's premises for (he purpose of illegally dealing in Hquor. They, also, pleaded not guilty. David Wallace, a police constable, stationed at; Mount Cook, stated that on Sunday, March L'l, he had (in pursuance of instructions from Senior-Sergeant Rutmade certain investigations at Doran's residence, No. i Foresters' Lane. Dressed in "plain clothes," ho had entered the hoiiso in company with Doran and Archibald West. Two men and a woman were in tho house when ho had entered. Continuing the story of what transpired. Wallaco said: "I was asked lo stand a drink, and I did so. I gave Doran a sovereign, and I got 10s. change; so I paid Ids. for the six drinks. I had whisky. Then Doran stood a drink. Afterwards, I stood drinks again, and paid ss. for them. I had beer that time. Shortly afterwards two men came in, and had beer, and paid for it. Two other men, also, came in, But remained in (he lobby. . . . Doran asked me if I would stand another drink to tho company, as tho others had no money. I did so, and it cost me as. I went away then, but said that I would bo back again. Doran said that I would bo welcome. I then went and reported (o Sergeant Eutledge, and in about an hour's time I returned to Doran's, and asked lor whisky, which I got and paid for; ami I was sitting at a table with the glass'in my hand when Sergeant Rutlcdgc came in and took possession of it. West and John Pearson were among those whom I shouted for." Mr. Sladden: Are you awaro that this place is a "batch"? His Worship: What has it to do with (he caso, if the place i 3 a "batch"! "Batch" or no "batch" tho witness swears that ho paid for the drink. Senior-Sergeant Paitlcdge deposed that he had found Wallace with the glass of whisky in his hand, and that ho had found' a quantity of beer on tho premises.

Sub-Inspector Sheehan: Do you know accused? AVliat does he do?

Witness: He is a fruit-hawker and reputed sly grog-seller. , . , „ Do you knew anything about West?— "He g'oes round with a cart the same as Doran, but it is more for a blind than anything else." At this stage Mr. Sladden, on behalf of Down, withdrew the plea of not guilty, and entered a plea of guilty. Constable M'Kelvey gave evidence- to the effect that when he entered the premises with Sergeant Kutledge, West and Pearson were there. Sub-Inspector Sheehan: What does West generally do?—"lie is more of a bar loafer than anything else. ... He works very little." In evidence, Doran stated that Pearson was an employee of his, and ho invited Pearson and Mrs. Pearson to' his place (o dinner on this particular Sunday. 1 lie Pearsons were merely guests, and were not there fer the purpose of assisting him in selling liquor. West was there because ho lived with witness. Pearson deposed that ho had gone to the place in response to an invitation from Doran to go to dinner. He admitted that he hud been convicted twice lor being en sly-grog premises. That concluded the case for the Crown. Mr. Slailden began to explain to the Court that the place was a "batch, and that that accounted for tno liquor there. "Your Worship knows that liquor is always kept at a batch." Dr. M'Arthur: Do you mean to say that a "batch" is a place'where they keepand ssll liquor, and get twenty shillings for a few drinks? Mr. Sladden: Well, I mean to say that week-enders frequently-go to a batch, ami there is nearly always a supply of liquor there for them. His Worship: This is a very serious offence indeed, and Doran will be convicted and fined .£lO. Each of the two others (West and Pearson) will be fined £3, in default fourteen days' imprisonment. West: Will you give mo a fortnight in which to pay? .His Worship: No, I can't do that. Tho police will assist you to get the money. AVcst: I3ut 1 can't geO it until I earn it. His Worship: Well, you must krep out of this kind of thing. The pair of you know what you were doing all right. PICNIC FUNDS STOLEN. Ambrose M'Kay ulcaded guilly to a charge of tho theft* ol ,£M belonging to William James Hamilton and others. . Mr. Salelt, counsel for M'Kay, pleaded that M'Kay be given a chance to show that this was merely a fall to temptation by a man who had otherwise gone honourably. Consideration from the Court, Mr. Salck felt sure, would assist M'Kay to keep right in the future. It was during a time that defendant had been out of work that he had had ihe money, and he had givfn away lo a temptation U use the funds. Chief Detective Uroberg said thai in February last the Black Diamond Coal Workers had decided lo hold a picnic. At that time defendant was not a coal worker, but ho had previously been ono. Defendant had pushed himself forward, and had been made treasurer. The picnic had l>een held on March 13, and subsequently over .£'2o had been handed to defendant (as treasurer.) to pay accounts with. Defendant had run away with at least .£lO of the money. Tho theft was a mean ono because the coal workers now hail to subscribe the amount. Mr. Salek said that M'Kay was willing (o refund the amount at the rate of ,£2 per week if he was given an opportunity. His Worship: 1 am afraid that th'is theft has been premeditated. I think that I would not be doing my duty if I convicted and discharged this man, or convicted him and ordered him to come up for sentence when called on. I will sentence him to one month's imprisonment. OLD LADY ASSAULTED. A charge of assaulting Elizabeth Millelt was called against Mary Johnston, whom tho police- referred to as "a well-known character" with a very long list of previous convictions. Accused, Man- Johnston, did not appear, but Mrs. Milled, who is an elderly woman, went into the witness-box and depesed that defendant, who resided next door, hud gono In witness's house and had struck her. Tho assault had been unprovoked. Defendant had alleged that witness hed "been talking about her," but that was not correct. Constable Doyle stated that Mary John-.

stun had admitted tho assault to him. When hi) ha I seen Sirs. Millclt she was Johnston was sentenced to 11 days' imprisonment. A HO A ST. Ernesl Alfred HcliuHz was sentenced to <nui month's imprisonment for disobeying an iird'.T of Hi.. Court, which order was to the elVeel; thai; he should contribute X\\\ week towards (ho support of his children, who are at ("ins Wercroa Farm. hiib-llispeclm' Slieehaii staled thai since •'"»" '•• only XI Ills, had been paid, nml that alnii , ; J:ili w.ii now owinif. The ilelHiil.nl: ivhs ciiintnutlv employed at Xi Ss. per week, but (so tho sub-inspector uiicliMM.md) lia.l hoaxed (hat he would not obey the order. SKCOXD-HAXO DEALING. Katliaol Ituson, a licensed second-linnd dealer, whose premises are in Taranaki SI net, was charged with failing (o enter in (he prescribed book (lie fact that he had purchased a certain pair of top-boots and particulars of the purchase. Chief JMeotivo Hroberg said that the bmds turned out lo have been stolen properly, and when detectives had called cut Ito-eii lo see the entry (hero was not any. Subsequently Kosen had produced a small card bearing particulars of (he purchase of Ihe boots, and he had slated I hat those particular.-! had been written down at (he time, of tho purchase. A heavy poially was not desired, but the case was brought as a warning to secondhand dealer?. A. line of os. wi9 made, with costs 7s. THE UXSOBER ONES. John Joseph Kcllihor was made the subject of a prohibition order, on the application of his father. For breaking his prohibition, order (the second occasion) James Skilling was fined Xi, in default seven days' imprisonment, and tinio in which to pay was refused. Robert Cate, an elderly man, admitted charges of drunkenness and breach of a prohibition order. On the first charge lie was remanded for a week's medical attention, and on the second charge he was convicted and discharged. Daniel Murray was lined £1 for insobriety. THREE MONTHS IN GAOL. Kate Brady was sentenced to tlirco months' imprisonment for being idle and disorderly.