THREATENING A LICENSING COMMITTEE

Clutha Leader, Volume XXI, Issue 1042, 13 July 1894, Page 6

THREATENING A LICENSING COMMITTEE

♦ The charge against F. W. Wade, solicitor, for having used insulting language in addressing the Invercargill Licensing Committee on the 18th ult., was h<?ard on Thursday before Messrs A. Raeside and A. Shaw, J.P's. Mr Wade, who appeared for one of the. publicans whose house was closed, addressed the committee immediately after their decision had been given in these words : — ''• Before you seperate, gentleman, I would like to tell you that it is now war to the knife with you. Yon have been guilty of wilfully, wantonly, and deliberately inflicting a gross injustice, and those of you who arc in private business will particularly and individually suffer." Mr J. Watson, who appeared for the informants, expressed sincere regret at having to lay such an information against so old and able a practitioner. Mr Rattray, who appeared for Mr Wade, who was also in court, based his defence on the ground that when the words complained of wer3 used the functions of the committee had ceased. The Bench, after a short retirement, to consider their decision, adjudged Mr Wade guilty, and inflicted a fine of 50a, with 30s costs, or 24 hours' imprisonment. The sum was immediately subscribed by friends and sympathisers and paid into court.