MATAURA PETTY SESSIONS.

Tuapeka Times, Volume III, Issue 166, 13 April 1871, Page 5

MATAURA PETTY SESSIONS.

(Before Messrs. Menaies, Turnl»ull, M'Nab, Dugluss, ami Hutchison, J.P. 's.)

Tuesday, April 4. (From a Correspondent.)

The Court held its annual meeting today, and Mr. Tumbull was elected Chairman for the ensuing twelve months.

SLY GROG CASE.

William Anderson stated that on the morning of tho Bth February, 1871, he was at the soiree held at Wyndham, School-house, and procured one glass of whisky from Phillip Jones in the presence of Finlay M'Kay and paid for the same. He reported to the police, and heard Jones deny having any grog with him on that morning when asked by the police.

Examined. — Did you see any bottles brought up from the gully during that night by Jones' boys? Zes. — I saw several bottles brought up. Examined. — I could not say what w<is in them.

Finluy M'Kay, deposed— l saw th° last wilnjss on the morning of tau otii FJo , and was in his company when h n n-k-'l the defendant Jones for spirits. I saw him get it out of a black bottle similar to the one produced by Mr. Purdue, I saw him (Anderson) pay for it. I was also preseut when Constable Purdue came and searched his cart, and I saw him take a bottle from Jones. I heard Jones deny to the police he had any spirits with him.

G. B. Purdue stated he saw the defendant at Mataura Bridge on the morning of the 7th February. He asked me if he could get a special license to sell spirits that night at the Wyndham School soiree. I suggested to him to apply for it at Invercargill, through Mr. Chapman, then Inspector of Police. Shortly after this conversation I had a letter from one of the Committee of Management protesting against Jones selling grog. I told him the inhabitants objected against him selling, and advised him not to go. He replied, " I can bring two gallons, and if I cannot sell it I can give it away." I then telegraphed to Mr. Chapman to stop Jones' temporary license. The next time I saw him was about 1 a.m., on the Bth with his- horse and cart at Wyndham Schoolhouse. 1 went to him and said, " Jones, I hope you have not brought, any spirits with you." He replied, " Oh, no, I have only brought baer, lollies and nuts. I was too late to get a license." I looked over his dray and saw he had some spirits with him. About an hour afterwards Mr. Anderson told me he obtained spirits from Jones, for which he paid, in the presence of Mr. M'Kay. I went and asked him if he had any spirits for sale. lie denied having any. I searched and found the bottle produced in his possession. I tasted it and found it was whisky. I laid the information.

The defendant produced a receipt from Mr. Rodgers, Provincial Accountant at Invercargill, for one pound, and dated Bth February, 1871, but not being in compliance with Seo. 22 of the Licensing Ordinance, 1885, the Court considered it of no value. It being the first offence, he was fined L 5, costs 6s. 6d., and 265. expenses.

The R.M s Court met at Tapanui on the Bth. There were present — J. N. Wood, Esq., R.M., and W. 11. S. Roberts, Esq., J.P. There was only one case : — C. Jamison v. J. Burk. Damagea, L 9, for illegally detaining possession of a sod hut after being duly discharged by plaintiff, manager of Otakarama station. After the case was gone into and evidence heard on v both sides, the Bench gave judgment for I'Os. damages, and 3Ds. expenses, with costs.