SALE OF WHISKY.

Press, Volume LXI, Issue 18551, 28 November 1925, Page 8

SALE OF WHISKY.

UNLICENSED YENDOR. THREE MONTHS' IMPRISONMENT i Before Mr E. D. Moeley, S.M., at i Ashburton yesterday, Archibald John Tcmpleman (Mr V. J. Hunter) was charged with keeping and Belling liquor ■within the no-license district of Aihbnrton. Defendant pleaded not guilty. The charge of selling liquor was taken first. i Senior-Sergeant Mathieson Said « witness who was a resident of Ashburton, and whose name ho asked to be suppressed, came to tho Police Station and asked to be permitted to assist the police in catching Tcmpleman. The police took advantage of the offer. Since the occurrence the witness's life had been threatened, while the tyres of Ids motor-car had been cut. Giving evidence, the Senior-Sergeant, said that a pound note was marked and fiven to the witness, who, with the police went up to Templeman's residence. The police waited outside ■while the witness went inside. The police heard a cork being pulled from a bottle. Later Tcmpleman and tho -witness came out to the front gate, where Templeman said: "Wait and I'll get my car and drive you home." He went to get the car when Constable Hassell accosted him. The Sergeant directed Constables Hassell and Paul to search Tcmpleman, and they found a bottle of whisky and a pound note duly marked. The witness told the Sergeant that they had a drink in Templeman's house, and he had bought the bottle in the possession of the police for £l. Templeton stated that tho liquor and the pound note were his own. property. Tcmpleman said that tho pound note was thrown down, on the table by the witness, and he did not want to take it, but he picked it up and put it in his pocket. The police searched the premises, bat could not find any more liquor. Templeman. said to tho Senior-Sergeant: "I was-, just coming down to seo if_ you would recommend me for a taxi-driver's license, for I intend to givo the old game up." In answer to Mr Hunter, the seniorsergeant stated that the witness came to him and offered to help them. Such) a thing had never been done in Ashburton before. To his knowledge the witness's place had never been raided amd the witness was sober when, net visited the police station. The police had not arranged with tho witness to sav that his car was broken down and ask Templeman to tow him home. As lie came out of the house Templeman did not say that the man. gave him the pound note to tow the car home. Constables Paul and Hassell corroborated the evidence of the sergeant. Stewart Aichison, grocer, gave evidence as to having bought a bottle of whisky from Templeman. for £l. Witness told Templeman that his car was broken down, but he did not mention where. Witness pretended that he was a little bit ''tipsy.'.' In answer to Mr Hunter, witness said it was not a fact that whisky was stored in sauce bottles in his shop, nor did ho have liquor in a barrel labelled vinegar.

The Defence. "For the defence Mr Hunter said it was apparent that Aichison had a strong animosity against the defendant. His Worship would have to bo sure that he could rely upon his evidence. A weak point of this case was that the witness did not bring back tho spoil. It was an extraordinary thing that the bottle that Aichison bought was found in Templcman's pocket. He succeeded in getting the pound note into Templeman's pocket, but ho did not succeed in cettinjr possession of tho whisky. Archibald John, Tcmpleman said that about 12 o'clock on October 24th he was awakened by Aichison, who asked for a "spot/* and started to curse and swear. He said he was on the road from Methven amd bis car had broken down. He asked witness to tow him homo. He had a drink and threw a pound down on the tabhvbut witness said he did not want it. Witness went out; to get his car Tritea he was met by tho police. Tho Magistrate said that neither the* evidence of Templeman nor his wife in). pressed him in the slightest degree. He was quite satisfied that the evidence of Aichison was the truth. Defendant was convicted and sentenced to throe months' imprisoment with Hard labour. Mr Hunter announaed that ho would probably appeal. Tho other charge was withdrawn by leavo of tho Court.