THE LIQUOR LAWS.

Taranaki Daily News, 15 April 1921, Page 6

THE LIQUOR LAWS.

WHISKY IN PROCLAIMED AREA. SEQUEL TO LARGE HAUL. The sequel to the .seizure of £7O worth of whisky at Mokau some weeks ago, while the consignment was en route to Awakino, took place at the New Plymouth Magistrate’s Court yesterday, when a laborer named Frederick Volker was charged that on March 4 he kept liquor for sale at Mokau (in a proclaimed area), and, further that when giving the order for the whisky, which was intended for a proclaimed area, to Robert Fairweather, hotelkeeper* of Waitara, he failed to give a statement in writing of his name and address.

Defendant pleaded guilty to both charges.

For the prosecution, Inspector Hutton stated that at the time of the offence Volker was a laborer engaged in the Awakino valley. On the night of March 4 he was making a trip in a gig fron? Tongaporutu to Awakino, and at the Mokau ferry was overtaken by Constable Blaikie (police officer for the district). There were a number of sacks, evidently containing goods, in Volker’s l gig. and the constable enquired, ‘‘What cargo have you goi there?” Defendant replied that it was vegetables. The constable, not being satisfied with the answer, made further enquiries, and told Volker he would have to surrender the whisky at the police station, and the two proceeded to the station, where the liquor w r as locked up. Volker evidently had an accomplice, but he would not give any information. The consignment amounted to 131 bottles. “A PERNICIOUS SYSTEM.” Speaking on behalf of Volker, Mr. R. H. Quilliam said that by this time His Worship was well accustomed to this class of case. It was purely the logical product of the pernicious system which prevailed in proclaimed areas in New Zealand, and one might also say in nolicense districts. The effect was probably more pronounced in the King Country, which was practically isolated from the surrounding districts. Counsel contended that the fact there was a, large quantity of liquor should nbt weigh too heavily with His Worship in filing the penalty. Volker had been a hard-working, industrious man, but would lose the whisky, which cost him a considerable sum, and would have difficulty in meeting a big fine. Inspector Hutton said that it had come to the knowledge of the .police that cargoes of liquor had been run in by sea, and from Te Kuiti, and also from the Waitara side, but the matter of securing proof was rather difficult. He contended that a man who was able to pay so large a sum for whisky should be able to meet a heavy fine.

On the charge of keeping liquor for sale a fine of £2O was imposed, defendant also beihg ordered to pay expenses £l5 3s fid, and costs 13s. On the other information a conviction only was en-

tered. Fourteen days were allowed defendant in which to pay the fine, on condition that he reported daily to the police. His Worship ordered that the liquor be forfeited, and stated that he would determine as to its disposal later. CHARGE AGAINST PUBLICAN.

Arising out of the foregoing case, Robert Fairweather, liotel licensee of Waitara, was charged with selling twelve cases of whisky to F. Volker, intended for a no-license area, and failing to send a notice of such to the Clerk of the Court at Te Kuiti; defendant was also charged with , failing to make an entry in the record book of liquor supplied to a resident of a no-license area.

Mr. A. A. Bennett appeared for defendant, and pleaded not guilty. Inspector Hutton appeared fop the prosecution.

Evidence was given by Constable La Pouple, of Waitara, regarding enquiries he had made from hotels in the town as to whisky supplied to no-license areas. He said Fairweather had no record of the twelve cases supplied to Volker, and at first denied any knowledge of it. Later he said he had sold the whisky to Volker, but did not send notice to the Clerk of the Court or keep any retard of it, as Volker had told him he was not taking it out to Awakino. Evidence was given by Volker, who said he went to Fairweathej and obtained a quote for twelve cases of whisky, the price being £72. In reply to a question, he told Fairweather that he | was not taking the liquor into Awakino. The whisky was not actually bought on that occasion but a week afterwards he took delivery, hiring a carrier named Julian, and he accompanied Julian over Mt. Messenger, proceeding as far as the Mohakatino. They returned to Waitara that night. He then secured another case, and he told Fairweather he was taking this to Awakino. but no questions were asked about the other lot.

For thp defence, Mr. Bennett pointed out that Fairweather was not notified that the liquor was to be sent into a proclaimed area; neither was he aware of it?. Decision was reserved. CARRIER FINED £lO. Another information, also arising out of the detection of Volker, was that preferred against Albert E. Julian, who was charged with taking liquor into a nolicense area without having a label attached to the package giving the address of the person to whom it was consign-, ed and a description of the contents. Defendant was represented by Mr. Quilliam, who entered a plea of guilty. His Worship imposed a fine of £lO, defendant being also ordered to pay costs 7s.