Charge of Having Liquor Near Dance Hall Dismissed

Taranaki Daily News, 25 August 1942, Page 4

Charge of Having Liquor Near Dance Hall Dismissed

A charge of being in possession of liquor in the vicinity of a dance hall at New Plymouth on June 13. preferred against a soldier, Francis M. White, in the New Plymouth court yesterday morning was dismissed, White swearing on oath that he did not know how a parcel of liquor came to be in his car. Senior-Sergeant C. M. Anniss said Constables C. P. Bayertz and S. Jimmieson saw a parcel containing liquor in a car near the New Plymouth Borough Council dance hall. They watched the car, and just after midnight they saw White come from the dance, get into the car and prepare to drive away. The constables spoke to White, who said he knew no thing about the liquor and that it did not belong to him. He could not sav how it got into the car, which had been left opposite the Masonic Hall. The doors of the car would not lock. On the following Monday morning White went to the police station and gave particulars of his movements on the Saturday night. He had visited the homes of two friends and did not arrive at the dance until after 11 o'clock. These particulars had been found correct when a check-up was made. Constable C. P. Bayertz gave formal evidence on the lines of the • seniorBergeant's statement. Mr. C. H. Croker, who appeared for White, said there was no liquor in the car when he parked it to go to the dance. White did not know whether the liquor had been put there for a joke or in mistake for someone else's ear. He was not; a man who went out drinking liquor had been his he would to obtain it some time after 11 og^^^H White gave evidence on thess linei^^^| ln dismissing the charge Mr. Woodward, S.M., said it would be^^H eytraordinary thing if anyone should pnH flquor into another person's car. but be- ri cause White had sworn he had no knowledge of the liquor he could not do anything but accept his statement.