FORBIDDEN BEER.

Shannon News, 20 September 1929, Page 2

FORBIDDEN BEER.

At the Foxton Court before Mr J. L. Stout, S.M., Peter Petersen was charged with procuring intoxicating liquor during the currency of a prohibition order. Arising out of the above charge D. G. Bobinson, A. Fee and A. T. Harper were charged with assisting Peterson to procure intoxicating liquor: All parties pleaded not guilty. Constables Owen and Bell gave evidence that they found the four men sitting on the ground behind a hedge at night with two full bottles of beer, one empty and one half-emptied. All the men were more or less intoxicated. D. Bobinson, in evidence, stated that three rff the accused had attended a football match in Levin and on returning to Foxton had procured a couple of bottles of beer. They went behind the hedge and were just having a drink when Peterson arrived. . The*S.M. (facetiously): How did he know you were there? Did he smell the liquor . (Laughter). Witness: No, he heard our voices. Continuing, Bobinson said that they K'ad scarcely had time to have a drink when Constable Owen turned a torch on them. The S.M.: Most unfortunate. Constable Owen stated thh-t neither he nor Constable Bell had a torch but this Bobinson denied. Another witness, Fee, could not explain how Peterson got there. They were there about 20 minutes and Peterson arrived about ten minutes after their arrival. The S.M.: How many bottles of beer were opened?—-Only one. The S.M.: You must haVe been unlucky then. There were two others opened. Peterson also entered the box and in evidence said that he was on his way home and heard them talking. The S.M.: Did you hear the chink of the bottles? Witness: No, and I did not see any. beer. The others , must have been careful to hide the liquor as they knew he was prohibited. As a matter of fact he wouldn’t have had a drink if it had been offered. Y The >S.M. (in a surprised: voice):, What, not on! a dark night behind-a hedge? - The S.M. said the Court could npt believe Peterson did not have,a drink when he was found behind a hedge on a dark night with beer all around, him. Each accused was convicted ami fined £2 with costs 10s.