A LIQUOR CHARGE

Hokitika Guardian, 19 April 1926, Page 1

A LIQUOR CHARGE

ARGUMENT AT ASHBURTON ASHBURTON, April 16. Argument regarding an application for adjournment took place at the Magistrate's Court this morning when Archibald John Tcmplcman appeared to answer a charge under the Licensing Act. In asking for a week’s adjournment Air (I. H. Buchanan said lie himself could not take the ease, and accused wished to obtain a Christchurch lawyer. who could not attend this week. He understood that the police would oppose the application on the ground that some of their witnesses had since been seen in Templcman’s company, mid the ease might lie damaged. Counsel maintained that il such was the ease, the damage had already been done, and nothing could he lost by an adjournment. If tlie Court did not grant bis request ho. could not take the ease, and would retire. Senior-Sergeant Mathieson stated that on every occasion on which Templeman had been before the Court an adjournment had been asked for. He had bad eight clear days since the summons was served, and the speakci had told him, when his house was raided on March 20th, that a prosecution would probably follow, so that ample notice had been given. He was opposed to the application, as witnesses had heett seen, in TemplcimuYs company. He was evidently doing his level best to upset the means of bringing evidence against him. M r Buchanan said that Templeman was prepared to go on, hut counsel was not. It as a question of obtaining oilier counsel. 11l reply to tho Magistrate (Air E. D. Mosley), Tcmplcman said lie had returned from gaol about seven weeks a£o. Mr Buchanan : Perhaps if Templeman gave an assurance - His AAYu-ship: Worthless, absolutely no good. Tlie Senior-Sergeant: He actually took my witness in to see Mr Buchanan on Tuesday Ho has never been represented by Ashburton counsel, your AVorship, and there was nothing to stop him going to Christchurch to see counsel himself. Mr Buchanan objected to the tone of the sergeant’s remarks, which ho suggested implied that he (Air Buchanan) had hot put the facts correctly. Templeman, he said, had come to bis office to engage him in the case. His Worship: Fortunately, the local counsel are all reputable men, and do not care to take eases like these. I will grant an adjournment till next Friday, but Templeman will have to guarantee the expenses of the police witnesses who attended to-day.