POLICE COURT.-This Day.

Thames Star, Volume XV, Issue 4832, 4 July 1884, Page 2

POLICE COURT.-This Day.

(Before E. F. Tizard and A. Aitken, Esqs., J's.P.) StTJSDAY TBADING.

Chas. Buckland, licensee of the Saluta* tion Hotel, was charged, on the information of Constable Dunn, with having sold liquor on Sunday morning last to James Smith, he not being a traveller.

Mr Lush appeared for the accused, and Sergt.-Major Kiely prosecuted. Mr Lush admitted that liquor had been supplied to Mr Smith on the date charged, but contended that it had not been sold, but had been given in a friendly way, the police having received their information from a small boy who looked through the window just as Mr Smith was drinking. C. Buckland deposed that Mr Smith, came to his hotel on last Sunday morning to deliver a message in relation, to some lodge, business. They-'first met in the yard, and Mr Smith went into the house with him, he giving him a glass of beer just before he left. He then detailed the' circumstances, affirming that the liquor was given without any thought of receiving payment. There was not the slightest intention to break the law.

To Sergt.-Major Kiely—Admitted to •the police that Smith had been in the honse on the morning in question. Do not know; whether Smith was in the house on the night before. f * : 0

James Smith corroborated the last witness' evidence. The information he had to give Mr Buckland he had acquired after the occasion on which he previously saw him.

To Sergt.*Major Kiely—Was not at Buckland'B on last Saturday. ; For the prosecution, a boy named Jas. Smith, son of last witness, deposed that on Sunday morning last he followed his father to see if he got any liquor. Looked through Buckland's window and saw his father drinking out of a pewter measure. Did not see his father come out, but went home at ones, told his mother, and then went to the police station and informed the constable, who went back with him to Buckland's. Mr Buckland denied that his father had been there looking for drink, but said he had been there on the previous night. , Constable Dunn deposed that, when interrogated, Mr Buckland said he had not seen Smith since the previous night. The boy pointed out where he saw his father standing. Witness then looked through the window, and. could see ,thj place indicated very plainly. On being told that the boy had seen his father drinking, Mr Buckland said he wouldn't say but what he had been there, but he had given him no drink.

Mr Lush contended that no trading had been proved, and though there were: some discrepancies in the evidence as to the conversation, no doubt any publican would be willing to deny^ a great deal more than Mr Buckland had done'when they, found a "man in blue " making en - queries. The house had always been well conducted.

* The Bench retired for a few minutes, and in* summing up said it was plain from the ; tenprj, of the evidence that thojaghvrMrvSmithy had* business; with Mr Buckland, he weut there also with the, ~ intention of procuring liquor. 2SF6 sale .had been proved, however, and as the police Rave a very favorable report of the way the house was conducted, a lenient view would be taken, and the case dismissed. : ,

810 PUMP CHIMNEY. y John Highway was charged with allowingtheohimney of the Big Pomp to oateh fire oh the 27th June,

Dunn deposed that had the wind been blowing in a different direction the aparks would have settled on the properties of Messrs Miller and Simpson. I). Miller gave corroborative evidence; considering hiß property was in danger from ; tao^pirks:,;-;-v^---;'-4,: :^;, ■;.■--./ V;■■/. -"i Accused admitted that the chimney was on fire, but said that was a common occurrence, it sometimes igniting two or three timea • week. 'The sparks bad neter doneiny damaf*yet,:-, : ... -W> ; \ ;>//.■/ -

The Bench considered that no neglect had been shown, and the case would therefore be dismissed.

WANDERING HOBSBS

Andrew Moore pleaded guilty to allowing a horse to wander at large in Pollen street, and was fined Is and costs, and r John Cook was similarly mulcted.

ASSAULT.

John Alley was charged with unlawfully assaulting HikoriEawiri yesterday at Parawai.

Mr Miller appeared for accused, and pleaded not guilty. All witnesses weire ordered out of Court;

HikoriEawiri (MrPuckey interperting) deposed that Alley was taking her firewood, away in Mir Townsond's cart; she caught the bridle to prevent him; he struck the horse and threw the whip to the ground. She took it up, and Alley; in tryingtq take it away, struck her on the breast. She fell in the struggle, and she then gave up the whip to Alley, who rode off. Alley struck her both with his hand and the whip. Elizabeth Winder witnessed the occurrence, but was certain Alley did not strike plaintiff. , Mrs Dufty corroborated, and after hearing several other witnesses the Bench considered that no assault had been proved, and dismissed the cisc, plaintiff to pay all costs, amounting to £2 2s. This was all the business.