R.M. COURT, PAEROA.

Thames Star, Volume XII, Issue 3875, 31 May 1881, Page 2

R.M. COURT, PAEROA.

• : MONDAY. (Before H. KeUriok, EBg.,R.M.) SLY GBOG SELLING. 1 G. Clotworthy was charged with a breach of 11, section of the Outlying DistricCs Sale of Spirits Act, 1870, for. keeping for purposes of /sale certain Spirituous and fermented liquors. \ Mr Brassey appeared for defendant. ' Her mi."' Major O'Grady conducted the case for the police. The Court thought the information should be amended, and amended it by setting out the district. "" ' ; S,ergt. Russell, deposed to having gone to defendant's shanty at Wai hi, and seized a gallon of rum, a gallon of whisky, 9 bottles of gin, 9 bottles of whisky, and 3 bottles of ale. Wai hi was in the Te Aroba district under the Act.

T. Law, deposed, that at request of the police, he went to Clotworthy's place for. the purpose of taking a watch to Grinter,! and also to spy. He had been offered £5 by Russell if a conviction was obtained, but that up to that time he had only received 5s on account. After having dinner therej he asked Grinter if he had any liquor, as he would shout. Grinter said they had liquor, and asked him' if he would nave brandy or whiskey. Clotworthy, Grinter, and witness had a drink each, and before witness went he paid Is 6d.

R. Grinter deposed—He recollected Law bringing a watch to the store. He shouted for Law, and the latter did not pay him for the drinks, but for his dinner. Law said that he should like to hare a drink, as he came from Katikati, with a man named Parker, but witness found j put he bad only come from Paeroa. The liquor was not there for purposes of sale, but for his and Clotwortby's private use, and for the purpose of obliging those who were.in the habit of dealing at the store, there being no accommodation house in the district. He always charged Is 6d for dinner, having once charged the Jbt.M. that amount. He never charged Arnold or Mackay for drinks, nor had they paid money for drinks. He had not debited them in his book for drinks supplied. Arnold was called, and deposed to having a drink at Clot worthy's, but did not pay for it, nor did he see Mackay pay for it. Mackay gave corroborative evidence to Arnold's testimony. He never saw money paid for drink at Clctworthy's. Mr Brassey contended that the sale h"d not been proved, and consequently the liquor could not be held to have been kept for the purpose of sale. The Court said that the presumption of law was that the spirits were kept for sale, and he would consequently fine the defendant £20, and costs £3 15s. The Police then withdrew a second information for selling without a license.