MAGISTRATE’S COURT.

Hokitika Guardian, 24 January 1918, Page 1

MAGISTRATE’S COURT.

THURSDAY, JANUARY 24th

(Before T. Hutchison. Esq., R. 11.) LICENSING ACT.

The police charged J. ,T. Mclntosh (Mr Murdoch) licensee of Bed , Lion Hotel, with allowing liquor to bo consumed after hours and with sale of liquor after hours. Constable Stark and Kennedy gave evidence that at. 7 p.m. on the 12th they entered the bar parlour and saw tw<( residents of Runtjapu in ' a parlour behind tile bar having each. a glass of Chartreuse. The licensee stated that the men had tea and wore having an after-meal drink.

The defendant in his evidence stated the two men mentioned were constant visitors., On the night in question lie went in to the bar to get change for a pound, and while there, as it was h.s birthday, asked them to have a liquor in celebration.. The Magistrate said it was quite clear that the case must fall. There was no -evidence of a sale, assuming defendant’s evidence to bo true, of which lie had no doubt. Both informations would he dismissed. ABUSIVE LANGUAGE CHARGE. .John Jarman (Air Murdoch), v. .John Jones (Air Sellers), a charge of using insulting words. r Plaintiff deposed lie was Dairy and Meat Inspector stationed at Hokitika. On (| 7th December, was on the road at A.rahnra, near the sale yards, when Jones asked witness what. statements witness had been making about him. Witness replied that he had not made anv, not even mentioned his name. Jones said he had done so to Jeffries. Jones then said that witness had condemned ttyat beast bought by Burrowes. Witness replied that it was Jeffries, not witness, who had used Jones’ name. Jeffries then ( . a me over and witness said to Jeffries that it was him and not witness who bad mentioned Jones’ name. Jeffries replied that witness mentioned Jones’ name, and witness stated ho did not. Jones then became abusive to witness. The trouble arose over a beast -that had boon condemned. AVitness did not ( k'now Jones was interested (in tin* beast.

His Worship said lie did not see that the words used were insulting. To Air Sellers: The cow in question was condemned in July. After considerable discussion between the Bench., witness and counsel for defence, his AVorship suggested that an apology by defendant would suffice, if Air Jarnum would, accept it. All' Boilers then expressed the regret of his client at the expressions used, which were accepted hy plaintiff, and his AUorshin allowed {lie case to he withdrawn.