RESIDENT MAGISTRATE'S COURT

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XVI, Issue 58, 9 March 1881, Page 2

RESIDENT MAGISTRATE'S COURT

[Before L. Broad. Esq., R.M., and 0. Curtis nncl W. Oldham, Esqs., J.J.P.] Alexander Lindsay charged with being drunk and incapable, was fined Ds and costs. Charles' McLean was charged with supplying Alexander Lindsay with liquor while in a state of intoxication. Mr Fell appeared for the defence. Sergt. Nash said that he saw Lindsay, who was drunk at the time, go into rlefehclant's house, and that he followed him in and found him dunking a glass of beer at the bar. McLean was standing- at the door. Defendant admitted that Lindsay came to his house in a state of intoxication,, but denied having 1 supplied him witii liquor. He had drawn some beer out of the engine in the morning and left a turnhler with some in it on the counter, and Lindsay walked into the bar and drank this without permission The Chairman said that if a constable found a drunken man etanding in the bar of a public houee drinking beer, that was prima fac t evidence of his having been supplied by I some one in the house, but only prima focie, and was capable of. being rebutted. In this case the defendant had given a reasonable explanation as to how Lindsay got the beer, and had supported it by his oath. This was direct evidence, and consequently better than that which was only prima facie. The Bench did not think there was proof of the defeni dant or his servants having supplied the beer, wbicb, after all, was the real vist of the offeree, and they would therefore dismiss the case. Healy & Son v. Jones. — Action to recover £18 9s 4d for goods supplied, Judgment for umouut claimed and costs. Irvine v. G. Macdonald.— Action to recover £1 15s, professional charges. Judgment for amount claimed and costs. Denne v. Davidson (of Wellington). — Action to recover £25 1 6s 10s for goods eupplied. Judgment ..for amount claimed and costs, ■ ... - . : i