SALE OF UQUOR

WITHOUT LICENCE

MAN AND WIFE GUILTY

Evidence of purchases of liquor by a constable in plain clothes was given in the Magistrate's Court today when a seaman, John Frederick Harmer, and his wife, Ivy Ellen Harmer, appeared before Mr. W. F. Stilwell, S.M., and were convicted of; selling liquor without a licence. William John Sturrock, ship's cook, and Marjory Tebbett, machinist, were found guilty of being on the premises. Sentence in all cases will be imposed on Monday. Sub-Inspector D. J. M, Hewitt, who prosecuted,. said . that on .February 5 Constable Stewart visited the Harmers' premises in, Ghuznee Street and purchased liquor from Harmer. He went away again, and'later in the evening, in company with a sailor, he returned, and, the sailor purchased a further four bottles of peer from Harmer, On February 20 Constable Stewart once more Visited the place, and purchased liquor from Mrs. Harmer.- • "There were men there mofs or less under the influence of UquSr," said the sub-inspector. "The place has been frequented by seamen and a sprinkling of womenfolk—l suppose to give a little tone to the place." . Constable Stewart, after giving evidence along the lines-indicated by the sub-inspector,-said, in answer to a question by counsel (Mr. G, I. Joseph), that he had been- wearing a merchant seaman's badge. • I , "Were yo,u entitled to wear it?" asked Mr. Joseph, , to which witness :said that he-was acting under instructions. ■ . ■•: .-•"■■ : Do you know why you were told to wear^a.. merchant- seaman's badge?—l iwas acting under instructions;' " .'"Yours but to do or die' kind of idea," commented counsel. ■ THE DEFENCE. .. ' ' Outlining\%s defenpe, Mr. Joseph said that ,on-, February 5, when the constable was, alleged- to have purchased beer from Harmer, that defendant had gone to a cabaret and remained there to the,last dance. On the other occasion Stewart came to Mrs. Harmer and introduced -himself as Willis, a seaman off a, well-known, ship, saying that he was a personal friend of her husband. He said he was just off the ship, was- very thirsty, and would she j give him a drink. Mrs.. Harmer gave | • the constable and ■ his friend a bottle I of beer, but did notsell-it t- them or to anyone else. . Harmer denied vehemently that Uquor had. ever been sold in his home. Merchant seamen, especially these days, said counsel, were a ' great brotherhood. • Sometimes as many as six seamen were living in the Harmers' home, and never less than three. Very often ships docked after 6 o'clock, and it was not possible for the seamen to get liquor without breaking the law. The defendants' house had become a kind of social club for seamen.. Beer was consumed there, but not sold, Evidence along these lines was given by .the defendants. . The Magistrate said there was no doubt in his mind that the constable's evidence should be accepted.