BREACHES OF THE LICENSING ACT.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 9661, 27 November 1909, Page 6

BREACHES OF THE LICENSING ACT.

HEAVY FINES IMPOSED. KEEPING LIQUOR FOR SALE. Emily Haviland. William E. Jones and Herbert Jones were charged with keeping liquor for sale in the No License area of Masterton. Mr C, A. Pownall appeared for accused, and stated that as the case hinged on the appeal he would ask that it be held over pending the de ■ cision ol the Court. Defendants were raising a mortgage on their property, and would lodge an appeal in the afternoon.

His Worship stated that he had adjourned the case on the distinct understanding thatt'the money for the appear* would be lodged. This had not been done, and the case would have to be protceded with. Mr Powna'll asked that the case against Mrs (Haviland be dismissed, on the ground that she was acting under coercion of her husband, and that she had only a very small quantity of liquor in her possession. He also asked Mr Turton to take into consideration whether or not the fine of £35 inflicted on her husband did not meet with the ends of justice.

The Magistrate stated that the evidence in the case of Mrs Haviland showed that* both she and her husband were carrying on traffic in the i'licit sale of liquor, and she would be convicted and iined £35 and costs, seven days being allowed in which to pay. With regard to the two boys, it was quite possible that they were to a certain extent, under the influence of their parents. Each would be fined £ls, to be paid in monthly instalments of £5.

CHARGE OF ILLEGAL DEALING. THREE INFORMATIONS DISMISSED. Frederick yeecombe was charged that on October 21st he was found on the premiset&of one Richard Haviland for the purpase of illegally dealing in Mquor. Mr PownaULappeared for accused, and pleaded not guilty. Constable Townsend states that Seecombu canoeito Haviland's house on the evening .on which the police searched it Aacused came in while the police were He asked for Willie Jones. The information >was dismissed. A similar chatge was preferred against Joseph who pleaded not guilty. Sergeant Miller stated that on the evening the police searched Havi-

land's housa accused was seated at a table in the kitchen playing cards. By accused: Witness knew nothing against his character. Joseph Lyiiam stated he was in town on the night in question. He met William Jones, who invited him to come round a.id have a game of cards, which, as it was a stormy nigth, he agreed to do. His Worship dismissed the case. James Kingdon was similarly charged and pleaded not guilty. Constable Townsend stated that accused had been found playing cards in Haviland's kitchen on the night on which the made. He had refused to answer any questions. By accused: There was nothing in the kitchen tj show that he had been drinking. James Kingdon stated he was playing cards at the house on ths evening in question with three or four others. He had had drink in the house, but on this particular evening had received none. He refused to answer the Sergeant's question because he did not think he had any right to ask any.

The information was dismissed. ORDER FOR LIQUOR. • Robert Henry was charged with ha\ing given an order on October 7th, 1909, on account of one John Booth,for liquor intended to be taken into the No-Licen9e district of Masterton, and that he failed to gave the person to whom the order was given a statement in writing of the name and address of the said John Booth. He was charged with having committed a similar offence on October 14th.

The charge was dismissed. William Heggie was similarly charged, accused being represented by Mr PownalL Sergeant Miller stated accused was

going to Carterton, and Charles Gurote gave him sixpence and asked him to bring back some beer tor it. He held that if accused were convicted and discharged the case would be met. Mr Turton stated that it was as well that his views in the matter should oe known. He had been in three No-License districts now during the past three years, and it had betn hij experience that ns soon as No-Licsnse was carried the first thing people did was to en.uire as to their rights with regard to bringing liquor into the district. It was useless for them to come to him and plead ignorance, as he was quite certain they were aware of their rights in the matter. While he was not an extremist, he would in all cases im» poss a fine where he had evidence that people knew the law and did not observe it. Accused would be fined £'6 and costs, three days being allowed in which to pay it.