SEQUEL TO RAID

Hokitika Guardian, 17 August 1932, Page 3

SEQUEL TO RAID

UNLICENSED BREWERS OF BEER

ROTORUA, August 15

A charge laid by the Collector oi Customs of carrying on the business of brewers, not being the holders of a brewer’s licensey was preferred against Mary, Mitton and Harry. ; Mitton,. ot Whakarewarewa, in the Rotorua Magistrate’s Court'.-; i\l

Counsel for the Customs Department said that on June. 27 Senior Sergeant Carroll; accompanied by Constables, Kelly,' Brown, Roberts and Shilton, ’ tvent. to .WTmkarewarewa, where defendants carried on business as storekeepers, and they saw Maoris in front of the premises and going in the shop door. A guide and Wi Martin came from the back: of the premises with two parcels, which .were taTcen possession of, and were found to contain .seven bottles of home-brew.ed beer.. Mrs Mitfon denied having sold liquor to the Maoris. On the premises being .searched, material for making home-brew, was found, also a quantity of home-made beer.. . , James Harvey said , that on the evening of the raid he had lent Wi Martin a Ids note" He had seen. Maoris going

to the back of Mitton’6 shop and had also seen them und<i^ :r th§, drink. . Wi Martin said he attended a tfiiifji at Whakarewarewa on. Juno 27,. and wanted to “shout” for some Maori frends, but had no money. He borrowed a 10s note from Harvey, but did not know that, the number was known'. He took the money, to : his wife> Who gave it to a guide to buy the. beer, which lie knew could be obtained at/ Mitton s. He picked, up the, beer i« company with a guide, arid it, was, .placed at the back of Mitt on’s shop. One shining a bottle had been, paid , for it. When he got in, front of the shop he was chased, by the police, and the parcels • were handed over.. :i M.-s Martin also gave evidence, and the case Was adjourned until August 23. -, . . -,, v