MAGISTRATE'S COURT

Hokitika Guardian, 25 June 1926, Page 3

MAGISTRATE'S COURT

THURSDAY, JUNE 2-lth. (Before W. -Meklrum. Esq., S.M.) AFTERNOON SITTING. The charge against a resident (Central Hotel) was dismissed. Three perons (Masonic Hotel) wore charged with being unlawfully on licensed premises after hours. John James Morgan, licensee of Ma-

f sonic Hotel, was charged with expos- ! ing liquor after hours, and Margaret I Morgan was charged with supplying, j Mr Murdoch appeared* for the licensee. | . Constable Randall gave evidence that | 110 visited the hotel, and found three I men in a parlor, two with liquor in i their hand. The men claimed they j were the guests of the licensee. One j (Gibbons) said he had come to pay ar | account and the other (Thomas) tlial | he came to take out a daughter of the 5 licensee. Woolihouse stated he had I 1 1 ceil invited in. by Mrs Morgan, but ; that she had not shouted for him. ■ | John .T. Morgan gave evidence thal Thomas came in to wait for his daughter, a id Gibbons came in to pay an account. Witness shouted for flic two and went to get a receipt. When he came- hack found Constable Randall and Woolhoiiso also there. That was the first lie had seen of Woolhouse. | He was not present when witness sup- ! plied the two' drinks. Albert Thomas gave evidence that he went to the hotel to wait for a young lady to go ; to the pictures. Gibbons came in and bad some business with Morgan. Then Morgan shouted, a- shandy to witness and a soft drink fo Gibbons. Then ' . Woolhouse came in and a few minutes later the Constable. Did not hear : Mrs Morgan say slug had supplied witnos and Woolhouse with drinks. Les- : lie Gibbons gave evidence in support. , Margaret Morgan denied having snp- ! plied any liquor on the occasion. She i did not see Woolhouse til! she saw ‘ him at the tflhS?. She did not supply * any drinks and she did not invite any : of the men in. / Frederick Woolhouse gave evidence j that be took bis child'in to get a ! warm. He did not have a drink, i The charge against Thomas was disi missed. Gibbons was fined 20s and j costs 7s. and Woolhouse was convict- | cd and discharged. On the charges I against the licensee of selling, there I was no evidence of a sale, and the charge would He dismissed. That I against Mrs Morgan also failed, and ! was dismissed. ARMS ACT. ! .Tames W. Richardson was charged ) with banding over a rifle without porI mission and Allan Chapman with hav- ! ing possession n; the rillc without a ! permit.

| Sorgt. King stated Richardson had handed the rifle to Chapman who re- } faitv.a! it for three months, hut did | not purchase it. and was returning it when the police took possession. His ! Worship said the matter was a technical one. Convicted and ordered to pay costs, no order in regard to rifle, i George Chapman was charged with having possession of a rifle without a permit. Convicted and ordered Go pay costs. NATIVE GAME. I The police charged James Toobey and Robert Finely, with shooting and ■having possession of native game and brown trout out of season. Mr .Murdoch appeared for defendants who pleaded not guilty. i Constable Drummond gave evidence that be met the two defendants near Lake Kanieri. Stopped them and : asked what they had in their bags. On ' being searched, Too bey’s bag was found to contain four native pigeons and Fluety’s to contain a good sized trout and half another. Fluety said he was responsible for the taking of both pigeons and trout and claimed privilege ns a native. Toobey admitted that the rifle be carried belonged to himself and that Fluety did not have u rifle.

James G. Reekie deposed be was an officer under the Acclimatisation and Fisheries Act. He was present when Constable Drummond searched .Fluety and Toobey.

James Tonlio.v gave evidence that lie was prospecting in the Upper A.raliura. Fluety was working with him. Fluety shat the pigeons. It was below Tnhua. Witness had been in town till the night before. Fluety was under the impression that as a native, he could take game. Mr Murdoch said he wished to have tin..' for legal argument to prove that between the sea coast and Tuhna was a game land for the natives. The case was adjourned until next Court day accordingly.

I This concluded the sitting at I p.m