THE LICENSING ACT.

Gisborne Times, Volume VI, Issue 234, 11 October 1901, Page 3

THE LICENSING ACT.

CHARGE AGAINST WANGANUI PUBLICAN.

By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright Wanganui, last night. At theJVfagistrate’s Court to-day, before C. C. Kettle, S. M., Joseph William Hands, licensee of the Wangehu Hotel, was charged on four counts with selling liquor on tho 12th and lath of September to George Henry White, while he was already in a state of intoxication, and with permitting drunkenness on the same dates.

Mr Cohen, of Marton, appeared for defendant, wlio pleaded not guilty. Tho evidence disclosed the fact that the man alleged to have been served went to Wangehu after drinking about town, and was permitted to stay there while suffering recovery. Several witnesses swore to seeing tho man at different times during his stay at Wangehu, but at no time the worse for liquor. The man was subsequently brought into town, and a day or two after was taken to the hospital, suffering from the effects of alcoholism. Counsel contended that the probability was that tho man started drinking again in town, and that there was no confirmative evidence in support of the charges against his client.

The Magistrate said that it was necessary to secure conviction that the Magistrate should be thoroughly satisfied, and the evidence did not so satisfy him. Tho information would, therefore, be dismissed.