SLY GROG-SELLING

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXVII, Issue 8342, 31 January 1913, Page 7

SLY GROG-SELLING

HEAVY PENALTIES INFLICTED.

Special to the “ Times.” MARTON, January 30.

It has been reported that sly grogselling was being carried on with impunity in tho Utiku district, and lately tho police, with outside assistance, succeeded in tracking the law-breakers. Tho cases were tried at Taihape Court, tho first charge being preferred against Alfred Hulbert, who pleaded guilty. He was convicted and fined £lO and The next charge was against Edward Clifford Wilson, who pleaded not guilty. A considerable amount of evidence was adduced in support of the charge. Tho defendant denied that money had passed for beer in the house, and he alleged that the witnesses who had sworn that Morris said ho had bought and paid for the beer had committed perjury. His Worship (Mr Pago) said ho believed tho evidence of the prosecution, and fined defendSponcor Robinson was next charged on two informations with selling ing liquor at Utiku. He denied tho sale, and maintained that ho gave away the liquor in an open-handed way. No on© who came to his wharo for a drink was turned away, but no money ever passed. A conviction was recorded. His Worship, regarded this as differing from tho previous cases, inasfimch as liquor was supplied to comparative strangers, as if the place was an open ■ bar. Defendant would be fined £3O and costs.