RESIDENT MAGISTRATE'S COURT.

Waikato Times, Volume XII, Issue 978, 28 September 1878, Page 2

RESIDENT MAGISTRATE'S COURT.

Alexandra, Sept. 24, 1878. (Before Major Mair, R.M.) Thomas Baker and William Beasley were charged, upon the information of Constable Gillies, with having on August 14, 1878, at Rangiaohia, committed a breach of the Licensing Act, 1873, section 6, by selling alcoholic liquors without a license. Defendants pleaded not guilty — or, guilty to selling as servants. Sergeant McGovern conducted the prosecution. Charles Innes, sworn, stated : I am a brewer, residing at Te Awamufeu. Baker is a boarding-house keeper. On August 14, he bought some beer from me. I put the araoant down to his account. He said that Lewis had not time to go to the hunt, at which he had a permit to sell, so he (Baker) was going to Bell there. Baker, subsequently, paid me for the beer. Henry Lewis, sworn, stated : I am a pnblican, residing at Te Awaniutu. I kuow the accused. I remember the 14th August last. I supplied Baker with a mixed assortment of liquors on that day, viz., six bottles of brandy, six bottles of whiskey, and some rum. After the hunt, he came to me and offered the money he had taken. I told him to give me the value of the spirits, and to keep the rest. I think I charged 6s 6d for brandy and 6s for wiskey per bottle. I told him that I would have nothing to do with the beer ; he paid for it, and I had no hand m the matter. I told Baker that Beasley could go with him to sell. I paid for the permit, which Baker paid me for afterwards. Thomas Anderson, sworn, stated : I am a publican, residing at Kihikihi. I know the defendant. I was at the hunt at Rangiaohia on the 14th August. I saw defendants m the small end of the Block House, and purchased a glass of whiskey from them. William Corboy, sworn, stated : I am a Dublican, residing at Kihikihi. I know the accused. I remember the 14th August. I think on that occasion I purchased drink from them inside the Block House. The place was thronged. Andrew Ramsay gave corroborative evidence. John Vernor, also, gave similar evidence. Rcbert James Gillies, sworn, stated : I am a constable, stationed at Te Awamutu. lam the informant m this case. William Beasley, sworn, stated : On August 13, Baker asked me if I would serve at the booth if a permit was granted. I said, " Yes, but only conditionally on a permit being granted." He showed me a telegram, which was to the effect that permission to sell liquors at the hunt was granted. The telegram was signed W. G. Mair. I cannot say who it was addressed to. On the strength of the telegram, I told Baker tihat I would go, and accordingly I went to the hunt on the following day. For this service, I received the sum of 15s, aud none of the profits whaterer. To Sergeant McGovern : I knew that Baker was not a licensed publican. Lewis said nothing to me about the matter. I was m Lewis' the evening Baker settled up. I was not engaged by Lewis. Thomas Baker, sworn, stated : I was asked to t?ke the booth at the hunt ; Lewis asked me take it. He also instructed me to get the beer from Innes. I thought that Lewis was to pay for it. I understood that I was selling for Lewis. At night, Beasley handed me the money. I took it to Lewis, who took some out of it, and then gave me back the rest. I ttien gave Beasley 15s. A few days after, Inne3 came to me uDout the beer. I said I thought

Lewis should pay for it, but I paid him. I did not think I was breaking the law. I thought I was obliging Lewis by acting for him, as he was unable to act for himself Sergeant McGovern intimated to the Court that, considering the circumstances of the case, the police would not press for a heavy penalty. Defendants were Sued 40s eaoh' and costs—£B 11, a fortnight being allowed for payment. Civil Side. bakrr v. munn, Claim, £10 17s— debt. There was no appearance of defendant, .and plaintiff having proved the claim, judgment for the amount and costs (£2 Us) was given.