Liquor as Medicine

Levin Daily Chronicle, 23 March 1918, Page 4

Liquor as Medicine

SOLD BY CHEMISTS. THE WAIHI PROSECUTIONS. Waihi, Wednesday. The hearing of informations against local chemists charged with selling and keeping for talo alcoholic liquors was continued ycsteiday afternoon before Mr Moselev, B.M. Mr Jackson appeared for defendants. Evidence adduced showed that it us the custom of local medic;:! men to !si-ue certificates for the puienase of ii'iuor by patients from c.ucuiists, under ■•lijsection (7) of section 147 01 the Licensing Act, alios. The prosecution raised the point whether, in view of subsection (a) section 146, it was lawful for clier.iis-s tc sell liquor at all, t,;d whether the quantities sold at various times constituted mcdicinal quantities'under the Act. Senior-Sergeant O'Grady said doetors' certificates were not signed according to the Act, and there were no direction on bottles or in prescriptions. He pointed out that defendants were eharged upder subsection (a) of section 146, and not under section 147, which did not abrogate the provisions of section 146. Couscl for defendants adopted the line of argument that so long as chemists in no-license, districts kept within the bounds of subsection (b), section 147, they could lawfully dispense alcoholic liquors. Counsel also contended that a bottle of whiskey was not- an unreasonable quantity. Replying to counsel, the magistrate said he was of opinion that a prima facie case had not been made out in regard to the.charge of keeping liquor for sale. Evidence was then led in rebuttal of the charge of unlawfully selling. At the conclusion of the evidence the magistrate said, as the case v;as of considerable importance, he would give his decision in writing later. He added that at the present time ho was not altogether satisfied with the nature of the medical certificates 'issued, neither was he satisfied with the conduct v of chemists in supplying liquor on such orders. The charge of keeping liquor for salff against W. J. E- Woods, chemist, was adjourned till next Court owing to the absence of a solicitor engaged;