DUNEDIN POLICE COURT. Friday. February 28.

Otago Witness, Issue 2817, 4 March 1908, Page 63

DUNEDIN POLICE COURT. Friday. February 28.

(Before Mr H. Y. Widdowson, S.M.)

Broach of the G«.ming and Lotteries Aef.^ John Hyams was charged with playing, oil February 20, at Wingatui, a game of chanc* known as " sheila and the pea."— Mr Scum appeared for accused, who pleaded " Guilty.'"—Chief Detective Herbert said that tha accused was arrested by Detective Hunt mr Vac, act of playing. The game was well known, and was one in which the victimf had no chßnce whatever of winning from ther manipulator. Accused had been oefore th« court on a previous occasion, and had been! on-ee convicted for a similar offence to that present one — Mr Scurr submitted that that case was not a very serious one, and con-* sidered that a moderate penalty would meetf the trouble. — A sentnee of three months' mw piisonm-ent, with, hard labour, was int» posed. The Licensing Laws. — Margaret Parker* licensee of the Grand 1 Pacific Hotel, Ocean! Beaoh, was charged with permitting JolinT Edward Robinson,, a, prohibited person, to be? on the hotel premises on February 21. Robextf H'Kinlay was also at the Bame time ch*rgec| with accompanying Robinson into the hotel, knowing him to be a prohibited person. — Mri Nichol appeared for both defendants, who 3 pleaded Not guilty." — Sub-inspector NoxVJ wood said that on acoount of complaints twan constable had been detailed to watch. On thai day in question the men were found by Constables Roach and Duke in the hotel. Thai Mrs Parker waa well aware a prohibition order wa-s in force against Robinson waa proven in the fact that on a previous occasion, when Robinson was charged and convicted bsfore the court, »he had been a witness fox the prosecution. The evidence of the conj stables showed that they followed botfl Robinson and M'Kinlay to the hotel, and -on entering discovered them in a room, oul of whioh Mrs Parker had just come. FurtW, Mirs Parker had made »o statement to th« constables that she had requested Robinson to leave the premises.— Mr Niohol, in ocenj ing the oase lor the defence, said that hit client admitted that Robinson was a proj hibited person and was in her premises ott tho day in question. Mrs Parker, however* was in the kitohen when she heard some cum tomers oome into the bax. She -went t« attend to them a.» soon as she could. Ai soon as she noticed tliat Robinson was thexfl she ordered him out. As he did' not at ono« go she closed the slide, and loekee the bar door. Robinson w«s _ then about three minutes before the police *ri rived. Only about a, quarter of an hour piet viously the police had searched the bouse, They said they were looking for runawaj sailors. M'Kinlay, with whom Robinaoti came into the house, was a boarder at th« hotel, and had no knowledge that Robinsor was a prohibited person. Mrs Parker bad hmo frequent trouble with regaid to Robinson coming about the place, and had sever*] times ordered him away. — Evidence waa given by Mr* Parker and R. M'Kinlay.— His , Worship said the evidence regarding M Kin-f, lay was conflicting, and he would give him/ tho benefit of the doubt. The case ogainsrf^ Mr 3 Parker was proven, and she would tw fined £5, and coats (7s).