BREACHES OF LIQUOR LAWS.

Taranaki Daily News, 5 August 1921, Page 8

BREACHES OF LIQUOR LAWS.

THE MOKAU AGAIN. TWO CONVICTIONS. Two liquor cases, arising out of alleged breaches of the liquor laws in the Mokau district, a proclaimed area, came before Mr. A. M. Mowlem, S.M., at the sitting of the Magistrate’s Court at New Plymouth yesterday, a conviction being recorded in each case and fines of £2O and .£lO respectively being inflicted. Whati Wipa was charged that on June 30, in the Mokau proclaimed area, he kept liquor for sale unlawfully, and also that on the same date he took whisky into the Mokau proclaimed area without a statement in writing as to the nature and quantity of the liquor and recording the name and address of the person to whom it was being sent. Senior-Sergeant McCrorie conducted the case for the police and Mr. R. H. Quilliam appeared for the defendant. Constable Blaikie, stationed at Mokau, gave evidence as to stopping accused on the Mokau-Aw&kino Road and asking him if he had any liquor in the vehicle he was driving. Accused at first stated that he had two flasks of whisky which he had drunk. He afterwards admitted that he had a bottle of whisky. On searching the vehicle the constable found a suitcase, containing 9 full bottles ot whisky. In answer to Mr. Quilliam, witness said that accused was well versed in English. This Mr. Quilliam denied, and a native interpreter was employed to interpret accused’s evidence. Mr. R. H. Quilliam appeared for accused and stated that accused would tell a story different to that submitted by Constable Blaikie. In evidence accused stated that the whisky was for his own use and he was taking it to his home. He denied telling the constable that he had no liquor in the vehicle. He was returning from a tangi when stopped by the constable. He admitted being concerned in previous liquor cases. The charge of sending liquor into a proclaimed area was dismissed, and on the other charge of keeping liquor for sale accused was convicted, and fined £lO with costs amounting .to £2 5s 3d. The Magistrate decided that the whisky should be sold, the proceeds to go to the consolidated revenue. BOARDING-HOUSE KEEPER FINED. UNLAWFUL SALE OF WINE. Margaret Box, boarding-house keeper, Mokau, was charged with keeping liquor for sale within the Mokau proclaimed area, and unlawfully selling a bottle of wine on June 30. I Senior-Sergeant McCrorie conducted the case for the police, and Mr. R. H. Quilliam appeared for accused and pleaded guilty. He stated that a man called at defendant’s boarding-house on June 30 and asked for a bottle of i whisky. Accused informed him that 'she had no whisky, but she subsequently ! sold him a bottle of wine. Mr. QuilI liam said that there had been previous convictions against accused but she had kept out of trouble for the last four and this was a good record for the Mokau. The man who had bought the liquor was the person who had caused considerable trouble in this direction in the Mokau, and therefore counsel contended that his evidence could not be : reliable. j His Worship said an offence had clearly been“committed and he would impose a severe penalty. Accused was convicted and fined £2O with casts £2 8s 9d.