MAGISTRATE'S COURT

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2671, 18 January 1916, Page 2

MAGISTRATE'S COURT

LICENSING CASES TWO INFORMATIONS DISMISSED • Among the eases heard by Mr. D. G. A. Cooper, S.M., in the Magistrate's Court yesterday, were several in which breaches of the licensing laws wero alleged by the police, Richard Dwyer, licensee of the Empire Hotel, and Charles Aldridge, employed as a barman at the same premises, were charged with supplying liquor to a youth under 21 years of nge. Sub-Inspector Mackinnon prosecuted, while Mr. M. Myers appeared for both the defendants, who pleaded not guilty. It was clear 011 the evidence that the barman had on December 4 sold a bottle oi beer to the youth, whose ago was 17 years and 6 months, but, after hearing the defence, the Magistrate was satisfied that the barman believed from the youth's own statement and from his appearance in the crowded bar that ho was not under 21 years of age. The barman had strict instructions to serve 110 person under 21 years of age. The informations were dismissed. THE PRINCESS HOTEL. A charge of Sunday trading on December 19 was preferred a-gainst James Elleray, licensee of the Princess Hotel, and against his wife, the allegation being that Mrs. Elleray had sold three bottles of liquor to a driver, named W. 11. Johnston. Mr. H. F. O'Leary appeared for both defendants, and entered pleas of not guilty. Portion of the evidence was taken, and the further hearing was then adjourned until January 20. LIGHTHOUSE jOCATED. An elderly man, named William James Smith, who is not licensed to sell spirituous and fermented liquors, pleaded guilty to a charge of conducting a sale of whisky on January 2, the purchaser being Constable R. M. Goulding. The sale was, of course, made under a misapprehension, Smith being of opinion that ho was dealing with a soldier. Sub-Inspector Mackinnon said that | Smith belonged to a class of men known as "lighthouses." The method of these individuals was to keep a supply of liquor and retail it in the streets when the hotels were cJosed. The "lighthouse" system was one of the greatest curses in the community, and the sub-inspector suggested that the extreme penalty should be imposed in this case. A fine of £25, with costs 75., was imposed, default being fixed at one month's imprisonment. THEFT. \ i John James O'Connor pleaded guilty to the theft of a brooch valued at £2 305., the property of Helena Adams, There were previous convictions against the Accused for dishonesty, and he was sent to gaol for one month. ESCAPED FROM GAOL. Thomas Carroll, lyho appeared in the uniform of a member of the New Zealand Expeditionary Force, pleaded guilty to a charge of escaping from H.M. prison at Kihikibi in September last. He had been recognised when entering a restaurant on Saturday night. On the application of Sub-Inspector Mackinnon, Carroll was remanded for a week in order that inquiries might be made as to his record. OTHER CASES. Ellen Bailey was charged under the Infants Act with keeping a child from September 20 to September 27 for' the purpose of maintaining it apart from its parents, when she was not licensed to do so. The evidence showed that the defendant, had intended to adopt the child, but that she had not kept it lcng enough to. offend against the statute. The information was accordingly dismissed. Frederick Edwards, of Feildiug, was ordered to pay 2s.'6d. per week towards the maintenance of his mother. A young man, named Frederick Percival Baker, pleaded'guilty to a charge of drunkenness, and to a further charge of refusing to quit the bar of the Commercial Hotel when requested to do so. He was fined 205., with the option of seven days' imprisonment. Walter Hogben did not appear to answer a charge of drunkenness, and he was ordered to forfeit' his bail (205.). Joseph William Ccorgeson was fined 20s. for drunkenness, while for. a similar offence'-' Ambrosens Andersens was fined 10s. The alternative in the former case was three days' and in the latter case 48 hours' imprisonment. Nine first-offending inebriates were dealt with in a lenient manner. For brcach of a prohibition order, Michael O'Brien was fined £2, in default to undergo seven days' imprisonment..