A SLY-CROG CASE.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXVIV, Issue 18, 24 December 1915, Page 7

A SLY-CROG CASE.

MATIERE COURT, DECEMBER 10. (Abridged from the Ohura Advocate). Mrs it. B. Warren, wife of Mr A. C. Warren, farmer and boardinghouse keeper at the 14-mile, was charged on suspicion of having sold liquor at various times within a prohibited area, and also with giving an order in another person’s name. Sergeant Miller, Taumarunui, conducted the case on behalf of the police. Mr J. it. London, Auckland, appearing for the defence. Sergeant Miller stated that for some time past the defendant had been suspected of keeping liquor for ' sale. Through observations, two cases of liquor which had been obtained in other people’s names, had been followed up by the police. Although no search had been made, it was known that nine cases had been received at the defendant’s boarding house during the last three months.

Mr A. J. Reid, of the firm of Reid and Co., Auckland, gave detailed evidence of the receipt and dispatch of various orders to the defendant at Talma. Mr F. W. Schram, clerk of the Court at Te Kuiti, produced orders from Reid and Co., Auckland, as follows: August 7th, 4 gallons, Mrs R. B. vvarren; 10th. 2 gallons, lodin Hounslow; September 3rd, 2 gallons, lodin Hounslow ; 18th. 2 gallons, A. C. Warren; 30th, 2 gallons, C. Collins ; and 2 gallons, H. Hardie; October 18th, A. C. Warren; November 4th Mrs R. B. Warren care of H. Chnrsen, Ongarue. George Collins, labourer at the brickyard, at the 11-mile, stated that lie had boarded at the defendant’s place for three or four months. At the end of September, the defendant asked him if she could use his name for a ease of whisky, and lie gave her permission to do so. He did not pay for it. On October Ist, Mrs Warren spoke to him again and asked him to sign an order to got the whisky. Ihe name was altered to C. Collins as sfie made a mistake. Witness said he made arrangements to go halves. The Magistrate: Who was the whisky for? Witness: I take it, it was for Mr Warren and myself. F. H. Mayne, engaged in driving one of Moore’s coaches, and J- F. Hollis, blacksmith, also gave evidence. Constable Orchard, stationed at Ongarue, deposed that during the last twelve months he had noticed a great deal of drunkenness about the defendant’s premises, more especially on Saturdays and Sundays. He could find no trace of the man Hardie in the district, but eventually traced one case addressed to C. Collins, po G. Collins. He interviewed the defendant and her son, and received signed statements. (Statements read). He had known defendant’s husband 3 years; he did not consider him a heavy drinker. Had no complaints from defendant re drunkenness on hei premises.

To Mr Luudon : Had seen Fullerton Smith, and Ins men, but could find u otrace of the man Hardie alleged to have been working there. 1 have suggested to Wallen that he should leave olf driukug. G. ■ A. Camery, Bank of Australia, Taumarunui, gave expert evidence of the handwriting on the orders. In defence, Mr Lundon said there was no evidence whatever as to the arrival of the liquor, except one ease, or keeping liquor for sale on the premises. Apart from this there was no charge whatever, as the direct evidence had failed. A s his Worship knew ; it was no offence in getting liquor into the King Country, providing it was obtained in a legal manner.

f'lhe amount alleged to have been received by Llie deleuuaut was iwi. an excessive quantity lor the time. A case bad recently ueeu dcciut-u at ie Auiti, wiiorein oo homos m dt uu}» was not cousiuoied excessive. me majority ol mesa .aji-giog sencib " C 1 o people ol low cuai actor, peupm who object to any Kind ol wont —wasters— who introduce liquor tor the sake ol pioht. Here was a man with a farm of IUOO acres, who believed the pohm would not interfere if he got a cast a mouth or one bottle a uay lor uuie mouths. There was an entire absence of discovery of any liquor ou the premises. lu support of the defence, he would call the defendant to give evidence. The Magistrate said he though; there would be a case to answer, ou. lie would carefully consider all tin evidence before giving his decision.

Mrs Warren was then sworn aim stated: -We came here seven years ago. We have a farm ol IOUd acres. My husband lias been a confirmed drunkard tor 10 years. Ihe last two years a s the railway works approached he became worse, in fact got in a very bad state from drinking inferior whisky at ids and Ids per bottle. I then ordered good liquor from Auckland in order to keep him off the bad stuff. My experiment in giving him good stuff has turned out much better. it is a common practice of giving whisky to another. I changed the address from Okalmkura to Ongarue on account of losing a jar, but was advised to go back to Okalmkura as there was a change of porters who would look after it. I asked for Collins’ case to be left at my place because he was boarding there. Harducame for his case two or three days after and took it away. He left ‘2s 6d to pay coach freight. When Constable Orchard came I told him all he wanted to know. I have never sold a drop of liquor. To Sergt. Miller: I admit writing all the orders except Hardie’s. 1 told Constable Orchard I would give a statement, if he told me what he wanted. I am not bringing Hardie as a witness. Ido not know who produced the telegraph order dated and signed in my sou’s name, who is 19 years of age. I won’t say I did, or did not, write the telegraph order for Hardie.

A. C. Warren stated ; I have been addicted to drink for four years. My wife controls the busness, and undertook to supply me with good liquor to keep me at home. I am not a solitary drinker. To Sergt. Miller; Ido not drink all the liquor, but give a lot aw'ay. Mr Luudon proposed calling Mr Tom Moore, coach proprietor, to give evidence, but the Magistrate said that he had heard enough, and would carefully consider all the various points a ltd give his decision at a later date in Taumarunui.