RESIDENT MAGISTRATE'S COURT

Thames Star, Volume XIII, Issue 4312, 26 October 1882, Page 2

RESIDENT MAGISTRATE'S COURT

THIS DAT. (Before H. Kenrick, Esq., R.M. UNLAWFULLY ON PREMISES. John Oliver was charged with being found on the premises of R. Richards this morning without lawful excuse. Ser«t.-Major Kiely stated Constable Hazlett had noticed the man walking about for the last three or four nights, and traced him about 2 o'clock last night to a place at the back of Mrs Richards's, whichis kept for extra lodgers, and found him coiled up on a bed. He had some drink, but not much. The Constable asked him if he had any authority to go there, and he said no, he would go where he liked. He found several loose matches on him.

Sergt. Murphy stated Mrs Richards informed him she knew the man, and he frequently had stopped there when he came from the bush. She would have given him a night's lodging if hard up. The Sergeant had also inquired of Mr Gillies, shoemaker, whom he had formerly worked for, and he said he knew nothing wrong of him; he thought him a little wrong in his head, and he suffered from heart disease. His Worship warned the accused that he had acted very foolishly, and discharged him. SELLING LIQUOB AT TAIBUA. Wm.Norris, master of the s.s. Fingal, was charged with suffering liquor to be sold to Lawrence Terry on board the Fingal, while moored at the Tairua wharf on September 27tb. Defendant did not appear, but was represented, by Mr Miller, who applied for an adjournment, as he had not time to get his witnesses. Some argument ensued, and finally His Worship said he could not grant an adjournment unless Mr Miller would pay the.expenses of five witnesses" brought by the prosecution. Lawrence Terry, rafter, Tairua, deposed the steamer was in the river. He was on board and had three drinks of brandy from a man whom he took to be one of the crew, and paid for them. Wituess was not travelling by the vessel. Fred. Seymour, sailor, residing at Tairua, deposed the Fingal was lying at the wharf on that day. Terry asked him to go aboard, and the steward supplied them with liquor. Witness did not see it paid for; had a glass and left. Constable Win. Joyce, stationed at Tairua, deposed the mate _ was in charge that day. Saw the steward, Rudolph Prohll. The: vessel has a license. Warned the steward not to sell drink that day. Saw a great many people go on board. Looked down into the vessel and 'saw five persons supplied with liquor, which he took to be brandy, by the steward in the cabin, and Terry drink. They were all sober wheii he first saw them, but afterwards some of the people were partially under the influence of drink. There is no public house for miles around. He had previously warned the Captain not to sill toothers than passengers, and he called the steward and warned him; indeed there was a sort of row between the captain and the steward on the matter, and the. captain promised it would not occur again; . Mr Miller took objection to the infor* mation on the ground that the breach of the Aqtr-rw.duld'be3 selling at an un* authorised place ; it was no offence to sell to an individual, Terry.

His Worship said there were great complaints about men getting drunk when the steamers called at these East Coast ports, and if the offence could be |raced home be would be inclined to deal seVerely with it.

Adjourned till to morrow week, in order to allow Mif Aiiiler to prepare his defence.

? A SIMILAR CHARGE. • i Tiie>same^defendant was charged with a similar offence on the 11th inst., he being then master of the s.s. Douglas, which replaced the Fingal. ; < , George Lepine, carpenter at Tairua, deposed to having a drink of brandy on board; the boat as she lay at the wharf. Constable Joyce also gave evidence, and then the case was adjourned until to«. morrow weeki • : ' SELLING LIQUOR.

George Frost, mate of the brigantine Bannockbnrn, was charged with sellirig liquor on the Bth inst.

Defendant did not appear,, but Mr Miller read a letter from him asking him to appear for him, as he could not possibly get.away, the master being absent. Walter Lebart, bush cook at Tairua, deposed that he knew George Frost, mate of the brigantine Bannock bum. Bought two bottles of grog from him on the Bth inst, for eight 'bob' each for cash. Witness went "into 'the galley about 9 o'clock at night, aud the mate was pour* ing it out of the teapot and into the bottles, and thought he might as well have some.- The mate, is a tall fellow, rather gaunty, and thin round the chops. He knew the steward. One drink in New Zealand means a friend, and two or three drinks 7 an 'intimate friend. ' The skipper generally keeps the liquor on board a sailing vessel/ Had a drink of rum and water out of the teapot from the mate. Heard the steward was about to leave the vessel, and.thinking of applying for the billet, went to look at the'galley.

His, Worship considered the charge clearly proved. This belonged to a class of cases which were notorious, but difficult to sheet home. These steamers and trading vessels, it was well known to,- the police, supplied liquor to both natives and Europeans. Fined £30, or one month's imprisonment; costs, £5 10s.