SLY-GROG SELLING.

Gisborne Times, Volume X, Issue 1048, 16 November 1903, Page 2

SLY-GROG SELLING.

Per Press Association

Christchurch, Saturday. In the Magistrate’s Court on Saturday morniog Alfred Parsons, a boarding-house keeper, wa? charged with sly-grog selling to Ernest Propstiug and Robert Kerr. The evidence showed that Kerr, with the police, arranged a trap for the landlord, and introduced Constable Propsting, of Dunedin, who was acting in Christchurch during carnival week, as a friend he expected from Dunedin. The two met defendant in a lean-to at the back of the promises, and Parsons, without suspecting the trick, sold two bottles from a cupboard, which the threo drank among them. The polico executed a search warrant at night, and found eleven full bottles and some empty kegs, and a case of empty bottles, including whisky bottles. The facts were admitted by the defendant. Mr Hazelden said he did not know if the course pursued could be defended on strict grounds, but it would certainly mitigate the fine, because defendant had not committed perjury like many others in the same position. A fine of £‘2o was imposed, with a week to pay it in.

Joseph Miller, tobacconist, was similarly charged. It was alleged that the same Robert Kerr, co operating with detectives, entered defendant’s shop and bought liquor with a marked coin. The detectives bad previously been served. A search warrant was issued, and the premises immediately raided and liquor found concealed, but they failed to find the marked coin. Defendant asked for a remand, which was granted till Tuesday.