DRUNK AT DANCES.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVI, Issue 49, 27 February 1935, Page 8

DRUNK AT DANCES.

MEDICINAL WINE.

"MORE KICK" SAY POLICE. PROSECUTION THAT FAILEI>. (By Telegraph.—Own Correspondent.) GISBORNE, this clay. "it scorns a strange thing to me that when a person says ho doesn't supply a thing that the police should induce him to procure it. It is going too far to induce a man to commit an offence and then to prosecute him for it." In these words Mr. E. L. Walton, S.M., dismissed a charge against Cash Stores, Limited, of selling wine in a quantity less than two gallons. The evidence showed that a constable in plain clothes had been instructed to visit various business premises to purchase medicine containing over 3 per cent proof spirit. At Cash Stores bo asked for a bottle of a certain medicinal wine, but was told it would have to be sent for, as it was not stocked. At the police, station tho witness was instructed to go back and got the defendant to procure the wine, and this he did. lie ascertained later that the wine had been procured from a chemist's shop. Witness added that the medicinal wine was generally used for dance parties, as it had more "'kick" in it than other liquors. for the defence, Mr. J. S. Waucliop contended that there was clearly no case to answer. The constable was told that the medicinal wine was not stocked, but as a favour, and in keeping with the practice of the store, an offer was made to procure it. He submitted that defendants had not made a sale, but that the assistant bad acted as an agent for tho constable, and had made the purchase for the constable. The magistrate concurred with the view that a case of agency had been established, and dismissed the informa'T number of other similar prosecutions were heard, involving purchases ol medicinal wines, and in these, convictions and tines were recorded, varying amounts being imposed.