THE LICENSING ACT

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 10487, 25 November 1911, Page 5

THE LICENSING ACT

TWO PERSONS FINED

At the Master-ton Magistrate's Court yesterday Matthew Adams was charged (1) that he did keep liquor for salo within the Xo-License district of Masterton; (2) that he did deliver at a place within theXo-Liconse district of Masterton a package containing liquor, such package not having distinctly writen or printed on. the outside thereof a statement that it contained liquor; (3) that ho did deliver at a place within the No-License district of Masterton liquor which the said Matthew Adams had reasonable ground to suspect was intended for eale.

Sergeant Miller conducted the prosecution, and Mr M. Lavery appeared for accused, who pleaded not guilty. Constable Brown stated that on November 3rd, about midnight, he went out towards Waingawa bridge with Constable Diuiphy. He saw a person coming jvlong about ten of fifteen chains on the Masterton side of the Waingawa bridge. This person w.as on a bicycle and when about 30 yards away from witness and Constable Dunphy suddenly turned round and rode in. the direction of Carterton, going up the West Bush road. The two constables gave chase, and eventually caught this person, who was the defendant. They found a package < f beer tied on tho bock of accused's bicycle. The latter gave witness five bottles of beer, which were in his pockets. The total number of bottles was thirteen. Accused did not ?ay Where he got tho beer, ho being too busy pleading to be allowed to get off that the question escaped witness' memory. The bottles of beer had no labels' On. Accused repeatedly pleaded to be allowed to get offAsked what he was going to do with the liquor accused said, "I want to try and make up what I have lost iD fines."

Next day witness saw accused and the latter, in reply to a question, said he got the liquor at Costin's; had signed for it, and had the label in his pocket. Accused stated that he had not lioen asked if he had signed for the liquor.

Constable Dunphy corroborated Constable Brown's evidence.

Sergeant iMiller stated that a, proper order had been filed, in the Court on November 4th for <>ne,dozen of beer. Mr Lavery said "tifiat accused was legally in possession .) of the v .liquor through signing for it. It was absurd to contend th&t a man was going to '■pslVoff £lB by selling «. dozen of'beer. His Worship said lie would dismiss the second and third charges. He had no doubt thait tho liquor had been obtained far the purpose of sale. Accused's conduct was not that of an innocent man. He would be fined £lO and costs 7s, in default one , month's imprisonment. , Accused was-flowed a fortnight to pay the fine, and ao. order w-as made for the liquor to be destroyed.

UNLABELLED PACKAGE

Mrs Nellie Costin was cliarged that on November 3rd, 1911, at Carterton, she did deliver to one Matthew Adams, a person- residing within the No-Li-Konoe district of Masterton, a package containing liquor, such package not having distinctly written or printed on the outside thereof a statement that it contained liquor. - • .Mj; Lavery- appeared for accused, whopleaded not guilty. - - 4 - r Constable Ihmpliy said fhat. he had interviewed"Mrs Oostin in regard to the beer obtained by Adams. Mrs .Costin" had. said 'thiit she asked'Adains if the beer-was to ; be taken into Masterton, and had received a reply in the affirmative. ' She gave Adams a label to put on the beer. She stated that she did not put the label on the liquor herself as it was in a sugar bag and difficult to put 011.

Mr Reid said that the offence was a. serious one. Liquor meant to bo taken into a No-License district could not be sent from a hotel without being labelled, and brewers and publicans must understand this. He would inflict a fine of 40s and costs.