MAGISTRATES' COURT.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XV, Issue 249, 20 October 1880, Page 2

MAGISTRATES' COURT.

(Bsfore H. E. Curtis, and S. Kingdon, EsobJ, J.J. P.) William Stallard was charged with al!ow r ing, billiards to be played at his house between 11 and 12 on Tuesday last, being after the hour at wbich the house was licensed to be kept open. Fined 5s and costs 7s. i William Painton was charged with selling alcoholic liquor without a license. Mr Acton Adams appeared for the defence. j The Collector of Customs proved that the defendant had no.license. - . r . j J. Tra6S stated that he bad V ordered twp gallons of beer frotri the defendant who had supplied it eight days l'a£er. He had paid for it subsequently. „ j Cross-examined by Mr AdamsV, Painton is agent for Harley and Sons, "from' whom he! sells' their beer on commission.... He -was quite sure that Mr Painton vjrould ihotdcl anj thing wrong, for he was a "triosV upright! and honorable gentleman. - " ' ' I Bytho'Bench: I paid for the beer somej days' after receiving it, but I cannot Bay, exactly when. There is a running, account between me and Painton. ! Mr Adams said that everything had been done iv the most open manner. Defendant had; notice placarded iv his shop stating tbat hoi waa agent for Harley and Sons, and was exactly in the same position as travellers for the large breweries. He believed the Government did not wish to press for a heavy' penalty, and there could be no object in inflicting anything more than a nominal fine, even if the Bench thought they should do that, as the new Beer Act would prevent any such trade io the future. The Bench stated that they did not agree with Mr Adams' arguments, but as the Beer Act was just coming into force which would prevent anything of the kind iv future they would dismiss the case. Joseph Buogato of Suburban North was charged with haviDg an unregistered dog in hia possession. Mr C. 11. Martio, the registrar lor the district, said tbat as the defendant, who was a very old man aud unable to attend the Court, had since parted with the dog, he had told him that he should withdraw the iuformation but the police had informed him he could not do so. The Bench stated that under the circumstances they thought the charge might be withdrawn which was assented . to by Superintendent Atcheson. Some other informations of a similar nature were also withdrawn. J. Brown, junr,, for having an unregistered dog in his possession, was fined 5s and costs 19s. _..--. John Cockram fqr allowing „ two hopes to stray was fined 5s each- and 7s costs W* Louisa Brighton, charged .with vagrancy, was sentenced to one mouth's imprisonment with hard labor. „ c * . •". 'V i.