SLY GROG-SELLING?

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVII, Issue 8046, 13 February 1906, Page 2

SLY GROG-SELLING?

A TRIVIAL OFFENCE. At the S.M. Court, Waitara, on Monday, before Mr Hutchison, S.M., W. ti. Hughes, of Waitara, was charged that he did, on the Bth day of February, at the Caledonian Sports meeting, sell to one Tobias, three bottles of beer. Defendant pleaded guilty through ignorance of the law. He admitted Unit on the date mentioned lie had a luncheon booth on the grounds, and having to go into the town to procure some goods for himself was asked by a bookmaker, wlio was a perfect stranger to him, to bring three bottles of beer up when he came, lie agreed to do so and asked the man for Ihe money. Them was a race on at the time and the bookie being busy, said he would give it to him when he came back. He obtained the beer at a cost of three shillings, brought it to the grounds and gave it to the man who asked how much it was. He replied, "Oh! three and six to you, it's worth sixpence to cart it up." Heceivcd the three and sixpence, and in about ten minutes the police were making inquiries and told him liis position. He then went back to Ihe bookmaker and returned the .sivpence, just keeping the price of the beer. Had no intention of nor did not think he was doing wrong. 1 1 was done quite openly, there being quite a uumlier of people in the immediate vicinity.

Sergeant lieallie, who prosecuted on behalf of Ihe police, said the facts were as slated by defendant, but his attention had been called to the matter, and he laid it before the proper authorities. Knew defendant to be a straightforward man of business.

The S.M. said he quite believed defendant had given the correct version of what transpired, Sergt. Beallie practically corroborating the evidence. An offence had been committed and he must convict, but would not make the penalty a heavy one. He would be lined 20s, with Court costs 7s mid witness expenses.

' The Sergeant llicn called up Ihe Iwo witnesses who had been subpiened, one being the bookie, who called himself a farmer, On being asked by I lie Clerk of the Court if he claimed expenses, he replied in the allirnialive. The S.M, said that as he was ihe cause of defendant's I rouble no costs would be allowed, The other witness, V„ .fury, was granted (Is,