THE LIQUOR LAWS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LII, Issue 21, 18 February 1909, Page 2

THE LIQUOR LAWS.

\ AN ALLEGED BREACH. A .STARTLING DEFENCE. (Ily Tf]f|rrn|>h. —Sppcial to '•News"). Waitarn, Last Night. At n sitting of the Magistrate'* Court today, A. G. Crawford, o'i Urcmii, was. charged on five counts of sellin),', .procuring, nnd taking orders for Ht|iior in n prohibited area. The defenco raised by Mr. Qui)liani r rather startled the Court, he asking the Magistrate to declnro the proclamation in part ultra vires, in so far as it affect* ROW) awes of land at Awakino. Counsel stated that in 1850 the Queen'* Land l Commission purchased certain land sat Awakino, which then became Crown hunk In 1802 a proclamation was made by the Governor (Earl Glasgow) prohibiting the sale of liquor within a certain native area, giving such area in detail. In 181 M the schedule wag revoked, and a new one inserted, seemingly covering the whole of the lands witlnin tho area mentioned (including Hie Awakino block), but the proclamation itself distinctly refers to native lands. Hence, seemingly, it canuot include Crown land*. The .Magistrate said the position was very peculiar, and before givdng judgment he must go thoroughly into thewhole matter from the beginning. Hewould give his decision at New Plymonth on Wednesday next at 10 o'clock. It will bo keenly 'looked for.