RIVERTON COURTS

Southland Times, Issue 21099, 3 June 1930, Page 3

RIVERTON COURTS

MONTHLY SITTING. (From Our Correspondent.) A sitting of the Magistrate’s Court was held at Riverton yesterday and was presided over by Mr E. C. Levvey, S.M., and Warden. Warden’s. A. Pollard made application for a water race, situated on section 1, block 1, Longwood, commencing at a point approximately 26 chains from the western boundary of said Section, and terminating at a point on section 1; 14 chains, depth 3ft, breadth ,2ft, term of license 42 years. —Adjourned. A. Pollard made application for a damon section 1, block 10, Longwood; length of dam well 263 ft, height 10ft; to be used for domestic purposes. —Adjourned. James Clod made application to surrender mining privileges—tail race, water and ordinary claim, situated at Round Hill.— Granted. Civil Cases. Judgment for plaintiffs by default was given in the following cases: A. F. Webb v. R. N. Wilson for 9/-, with costs 10/-; Helm and Dickson v. J. G. Donaldson 14/-, costs 10/-; Thomson Bros. v. R. N. Wilson £7 6/9, costs 32/6; Wallace Motor Company (Otautau) v. F. Hoare £5 15/6, costs 33/6; Tweedie and Coy. v. Eva Jane Pratt £1 18/4, costs 8/-; J. E. Smith v. H. Popham £1 11/3, costs 17/-; Joseph Hunter v. J. Johnstone for 5/-, with costs 10/-. The following judgment summons cases were heard: John W. McPherson (Orepuki) v. Thomas Finnerty.—Debtor was ordered to pay £4 16/2 forthwith, in default seven days. Same v. A. Broomhall.—Debtor was ordered to pay £4 4/- forthwith, in default four days. 11. G. Johnstone v. James Branks for £6 13/6.—Debtor was ordered to pay the amount forthwith, in default 14 days in gaol. Breach of Licensing Act.

The licensee of the Great Western Hotel was -charged with on April 19 keeping open his premises after hours, selling and exposing liquor for sale. P. Keady, acting barman, was also charged with supplying liquor on the same date. Inspector McCarthy represented the police, and Mr Tait appeared for defendants, who pleaded not guilty. Constable Fraser gave evidence to the effect that he visited the hotel on the date in question. It was a race night and there were a number of people on the premises. He noticed that liquor had been served, and P. Keady was in charge, the licensee being absent at the time. Patrick Keady, Orepuki, said he was engaged as barman at the hotel during race week, an/1 had frequently assisted during the busy time. Witness was under the impression that the men served with liquor were all boarders. They were strangers to witness, the house being full of boarders at the time.

To the inspector: Witness did not ask before supplying the liquor if they were boarders. Race time was a busy one, and the house was full.

The licensee, in the course of his evidence, asid he had endeavoured to keep out 1 from the hotel all who were not staying therein. He was interested in the Racing Club and had gone to inquire about the weights. While away the barman, who thought the men were boarders, had supplied them with liquor. The Magistrate, in fining the barman £3 and the licensee £1 with costs, told the latter that his license was important and he took a risk in leaving the premises at a busy time.