SUPPLYING LIQUOR.

Gisborne Times, Volume VI, Issue 267, 20 November 1901, Page 1

SUPPLYING LIQUOR.

TO PROHIBITED PERSONS. A £lO FINE OR TWO MONTHS’ HARD LABOR. At the Magistrate’s Court yesterday, before Mr W. A. Barton, S.M., James Clements was charged with having supplied whisky to a prohibited Native named Karauria Takina on the night of the 15th inst. Accused, for whom Mr R. N. Jones appeared, pleaded not guilty. Constable Doyle deposed that while he was on duty at 8.45 p.m. on Friday last in Gladstone roal, he was coming towards the corner of the Bank of Australasia. Just as he got to the corner he heard someone talking from the Read’s Quayside of the bank. He then met the defendant, who was looking back to where the voice was coming from. Defendant said “ All right.” Witness went a few paces further, and saw Karauria Takina leaning against the bank. There were no other persons present. Defendant walked towards the Albion Hotel. Witness crossed to the other side of Gladstone road. Defendant stood near tho hotel until witness passed. Witness came back to the comer. Defendant then met Karauria at the corner of the Bank of Australasia two or three minutes after they had parted, and the two walked around the corner together for a few paces. Witness crossed over, and defendant then came away from Karauria. Witness closed on Karauria, who, on being searched, repeated, “ I have nothing.” Witness found in Karauria's possession the bottle produced, containing whisky. The constable then wont to the hotel and made enquiries, finding that a bottle containing whisky had been given to the defendant.

Miss O’Neil, barmaid at the Albion Hotel, deposed that she had given defen dant sixpence worthy of whisky on Friday evening in a bottle similar to the ono produced. Mr G. J. A. Johnstone, Clerk of the Licensing Bench, gave evidence as to Karauria Takina being under a prohibition order.

Mr Jones, for the defence, explained that the defendant did not deny getting whisky from the hotel on Friday night, nor that he spoke to Karauria, but ho did deny, that he had supplied tho prohibited man with any liquor, Defendant acknowledged obtaining the whisky from the Albion Hotel, and that ho spoke to Karauria, whom he knew well. Defendant did not give the prohibited man any of the whisky he bought, but drank it himself (bottle produced); Sergeant Norwood: If you bought whisky why did you tell Constable Doyle that you had not bought any —that you only drank beer ? Witness: I did not think it any business of his. I wanted tho whisky because I was bad.

Then why did you go into a dark place with Karauria ’?

Witness: I did not do so, Karauria followed me—l did not go with him. The Sergeant: In that case you say that Constable Doyle's evidence that you did go with him is not correct ? Witness : It is not.

The barmaid at the Albion Hotel, recalled, stated that she did not give defendant another bottle. In answer to Mr Jones, witness stated both bottles were Barry's lemonade bottles. His Worship said ho was satisfied the offence had been fully proved, and that the liquor had been procured for the person named. Not (only had defendant committed the offence of supplying the drink, but, in the Magistrate’s opinion, he had committed wilful perjury in denying his action. It was such men who rendered prohibition orders useless. Defendant would be fined £lO, cost 2 Ils, witness’s expenses 5s ; in default of payment by Saturday next, two months' hard labor in Napier gaol.