SLY GROG SELLING.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 9704, 29 January 1910, Page 3

SLY GROG SELLING.

A FINE OF FIFTY POUNDS IMPOSED. At the S.M. Court .yesterday, before Mr Turton, S.M., Thomas B. Lee was charged that between Ist November, 1909, and 24th January, 1910, in the Licensing district of Masterton, the electors whereof had duly determined in the manner prescribed by the Licensing Act, that no licenses be granted therein, and wherein no-licenses are in lorce dia keep liquor for sale. Sergeant Miller prosecuted, and Mr M. Lavery appeared for the defence Accused pleaded not guilty. Robert Hall, livery stable keeper, deposed he knew accused, who hired a trap on 24th January. He had hired a trap at various times more than three or four times, the tes on each I

occasion being paid. . William Burridge said he had a brewery in Masterton, and a depot in Carterton, where eoods were sold. Lee got liquor from him on 23rd October last, three dozen ale and at subsequent dates, various quantities. Always heard of Lee as being a hardworking man. Cross-examined: Got the orders, filed them up, and sent them to the Clerk of the Court. The Sergeant would know within a day or so to whom liquor was sent. Other customers of his got as much as Lee had done. John Smith, carter for Mr Burridge since 6th December last, deposed to the delivery of the beer to the addresses as per orders. , Bertram Sewell, brother-in-law of Lee, said he was wooing in Masterton a month ago at Holmes'. His address was Dixon Street. He got,various lots of beer in bottles as set forth. Two lots he had left at Lee's, j W. E. Boyd deposed he went with Lee to Carterton and brought 5 dozen of beer. Deposited same at the river bed. Got some friends together and they drank it. John Cotter said he had a man named Johnson stopping with him as a boarder. No beer had been delivered for him at 21 Queen Street during that time. He left on toe 25th with

his swag. Cross-examined: Had never been away except for a day at a time. Was at the races on the 24th.

Constable Brown deposed that on 22nd January he watched Lee's house from 8.30 to 11 p.m. During that time &aw twenty men go in and come out of Lee's house. Some went in at the front door and sojie went round to the back. They went in twos and threes and singly, and remained a few minutes. Saw two or three men. stop in front of Lee'd. One went inside and returned with something under his coat, and they went away. This was more than once. Lee came out and in several times, and went sometimes up and sometimes down Queen Street. On one occasion three men came along Queen Street as far as Lee's house. One went in and came out again, then they all proceeded to a shed in King Street. They remained there for half an hour. Frequently women and child- j ren came out to Lee's gate, had a look round, and went in again. On the night of Sunday, 23rd, witness. "again watched Lee's house fmm 8 p.m. to 11 p.m., During that time saw eight men go in the house, remaining a few minutes, and come out again. Saw Lee come out several times, and he spoke to difLnnt people outside his Then he I would leave them and go into the house, returning shortly with something under his coat. About 10 p.m.

three men came along Queen Street as far as Lee's house. One of them whistlsd, and Lee came out and spoke to him, than went back to his house, while the others walked to the corner of King and Queen Street. Lee returned in a few minutes with something under his cuat, which he was holding with both hands. He walked past them a few yards. Witness saw Lee reach something to them. Lee returned to his hou&e, while the other three proceeded to a shed in Queen Street. Could hear the sound of corks being drawn from bottles. In half an hour one of the men came out of the shed, went into Lee's house, returning shortly with something under his coat, and went to the sh"d. They all left the shed a few minutes before 11 o'clock. Witness afterwards searched the shed, and found four empty beer bottles, which had recently contained beer. On the following night, 24th, he watched Lee's house again, between ; 8.30 and 9.30 p.m. Sa«v three or ' four men go into Lee's. On one occasion saw three men come along. One of them went into Lee's house,

while the other two "remained under a lamp in Queen Street, UDti-1 'fee i first returned, and handed a foeer j bottle to the other two. The Matter . went to an empty shed. Be was ' present when the warrant waa executed to search Lee's premises. Entered the house by the back door. Saw Lee in the passage arguing with the sergeant Lee ordered the Sergeant out of the house, and the latter said he would have to put him under arrest while he execu • ted the warrant. The liquor produced was found in the house—thirty-four •bottles of beer and one of whiskey. Tircre were three cases of empties outside. Croas-examined: He did not go •near the people he saw coming out of Lee's. He did not ask any of them what they had. Reported to the Sergeant the next day. Saw Lee give the men something, and heard bottles rattling. Afterwards found four empty beer bottles in the shed. They might have heen there, for all he knew, a long time. It was before the warrant was read that Lee ordered out of the house.

Constable Townsend deposed that on Saturday, 22nd January, he saw a man named Jack Leahy and his wife come out of Lee's place. Leahy had a bottle of be r > his pocket. Witness asked where he got it. He replied, "At the Taratahi Hotel." His wife said, "He didn't, he got it in Masterton." About half past nine he went to the back of Lee's house. Four men went in up to 10.30. They went into the house and came out in a few minutes. A man went in at quarter past ten o'clock. He was under the influence of drink. Watched on Monday, 24th, along with Constable Brown for an hour. He saw a woman come out of the front gate, watch for a while and Ihen'two men | come out. Witness corroborated; part of the evidence of last witness.He assisted to execute the search warrant. Lee had the Sergeant bailed up in the passage, andjtold him to get out of the place. The Sergeant read the warrant in the kitchen. Lee pointed out what beer was there, and witness counted thirtyfour bottles of beer. He found a quart bottle or whisky in the cupboard in the kitchen. Mrs Lee said that the whisky was for her. She :had to take it. There were three cases of empties outside. Lee said he was buying bottles now. Constables Anderson and Dunn

gave supporting evidence, and Ser- • geant Miller gave evidence as to executing the warrant, £and the steps that led up tojthe charge. ; |This concluded the evidence for the prosecution. >» defence flecueed] was put into~the box, and on oath stated '(he was a labourer."and did work for the Borough and Bealefcnd Parton. He admitted the orders put in for beer. He had not sold;aray. He had consumed ike beer himself, aided by friends. *roas-examined: Had |not worked since 28th December. S£a His Worship: Do you ask the] Court to believe" that you, a labouring man, whilst out of work for a month, could afford .to give this quantity of beer that you ordered? "Accused said he drank a :good lot of it himself. The Sergeant cross-examined witness as to dates, but has memory was defective. Hia Worship uaid he had already given expression to fa's views on slygrog cases. He way f sitisfied a fine 'was merited in this case. The accused's demeanour, appearance and general conduct in the witness box compelled him to say he did not believe his evidence. Accused would be fined £SO and costs, which amounted to £4 7s.