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Grey River Argus, Volume III, Issue 155, 10 January 1867, Page 3

(Before J. Alymer, R.M., D. Johnston, J.P., and T. S. Kynnersley, R.M.) Breach op Public House Ordinance. — Aloxander Constantine, for neglecting to keep a lamp burning outside his premises, was fined 30s. James M'Michael did not appear to a summons charging Win with having left his licensed house, the Shamrock Hotel. The hotel was at present in the occupation of Mr S. A. Wood, but no transfer of the license had taken [Jape. The Bench decided to" cancel the license. Timothy Driscoll, W the Charlie Napier Hotel, did not appear to a summons charging him with absence from his licensed house. Mr Tyler appeared for the accused, and said that Driscoll had been obliged to go to Fox's on account of the drowning of his brother, and other urgent business, but he had left an authorised person in charge. Sergeant Walshwas called, and was about to give evidence as to the character of the house, when Mr Tyler objected, and it was not proceeded with. Margaret Fyfe said she was manager of the Charlie Napier Hotel. The licensee Driscoll had been called to the Pakilii by tlie death of his brother. Witness owned the property, but managed the business for Driscoll, and got half the profits. Mr Tyler addressed the Bench in defence, and the Bench decided to remand the case for one week. Mr Tyler mentioned to the Bench that some time ago an application was made by Mr Ogilvie for the transfer of the license of the Leinstcr. Hotel. The Magistrate had consented to grant it, subject to the report of the Inspector of Police. He (Mr Tyler) believed that the Inspector had endorsed a statement on the application which had the effect of witholding the transfer. He believed the Inspector had gone beyond his duty, and he (Mr Tyler) wished to renew the application. He, entered at some length into the subject, pointing out the injustice of the Inspector being allowed to make arbitrary charges, without giving a«iy opportunity for disproving them. The Bench decided to le£ the matter rest until the return of Mr Revell, who knew all the circumstances of the case. Breach of Customs Regulations. — j"-£obert Nicol, master of the steamer Yarra, •, W) charged by D. Johnston, Esq. , Deputycommissioner of Customs, with having ' 'violated the Customs Regulations, on or about the 16th September, 1866. There y ere five counts in the indictment, viz. :

1. That he was concerned in unshipping, at Greymouth, certain' goods liable to, and unshipped withoivt payment of duties. 2. That he, as master of the Yarra, failed to report his vessel within twenty-four hours after arrival. 3. That he caused his vessel to depart from the port without a clearance from the Collector of Customs. 4. That certain goods were landed from the Yarra before the transire was delivered to the Collector of Customs. 4. That certain goods^were unshipped from the Yarn?, without the consent of the Collector of Customs, and not in the presence or with the authority of the proper officer of Customs, nor at such times and places as were duly appointed or approved for that purpose. To each count a penalty was attached. Mr Tyler appeared for the prosecution. . Captain Nicol made a statement to the effect that on the day in question both bars were very bad, the Kennedy arid Thane being both bar bound in the river. He had come down fron Hokitika at some risk, and the goods referred to had been shipped as passengers' luggage. They were landed in the presence of one of the Custom House officers, and the reason lie did not obtain- a proper clearance was that there was no one in attendance at the Custom House, and he was anxious to get away to avoid being bar bound. He admitted the charge contained in the information. Mr Johnston said that any future irregularities of the kind would be punished Mr Tyler said that the Customs authorities were content to proceed on the Ist count only, nor did they wish to press the charge unduly. It was merely desired to put a stop to great, irregularity, and to remind shipmasters that there was such a tiling as a Custom House in Greymouth. The Bench would see that under the clause of the Act upon which the Ist count of the charge was based, the Court had no option but to impose the full penalty of LIOO. The Deputj'-Commlssioner was quite willing to recommend a reduction or remission of the penalty. After some consultation the Court imposed a fine of LIOO on Captain Nicol.