SLY GROG CASES.

Clutha Leader, Volume XXIV, Issue 1222, 3 December 1897, Page 5

SLY GROG CASES.

* The following cases were heard before MiHawkins at the Magistrate's Court, Tapanui, on Friday last ; Inspector Pardy appearing for the prosecution, and Mr Macdonald for the defendants. . P. M'Caun was cha,rged with selling a bottle of whisky on 26th October. — The evidence showed that the sale had been made by Mrs M'Canu without connivance on the part of the defendant and the case was dismissed. Eliza M'Cann was then charged with selling a bottle of whisky on 2Gth October.— The evidence went to show that on the date mentioned, William Thomas M'Farlane, sawmiller, and Frank Dick, a police constable, were in M'Allister's blacksmith shop. Dick gave M'Allister half a sovereign to go to M'Cann's for a bottle of whisky which he did, returned with the whisky and gave Dick the change, four shillings. Ali the three partook of the whisky. Mrs M'Cann swore M'Allister never bought a bottle of whisky from her. She had beer* whisky, and rum on the premises, but only kept them for family use and never sold grog. — His Worship found the charges proved and fined defendant L2O, costs 17s. He also ruled that as Mrs M'Cann was charged with selling, and not her husband, the grog seized could not be confiscated. Mrs Dunnet, Kelso, was charged with selling beer ancl whisky on the 22nd September. Frank Dick gave evidence that he and Fleming, a rabbit agent, called at Dunnefc's on the date mentioned, asked for, and were supplied by Mis Dunnet with beer and whisky for which they paid. — James Fleming swore that he went along with Dick to Dunnet's and had drinks, which were paid for bufc he could not remember what drink he hacl. Mrs Dunnetfc swore that he had only "pine apple," and shandy (made from lemonade and herbal beer), temperance drinks. She had not beer or whisky in the house. His Worship, apparently discrediting the evidence of Dick and Fleming and believing Mrs Dunnetfc, dismissed the case. Augustas Munyard was charged with selling beer on October 10th.— Frank Dick swore thafc he and Alexander Mason, jun., called afc Munyard's, called for beer, drauk ifc, and paid for it.— Mason ad?nifct2d having a drink at Munyard's, bufc could not say what it was ; thought it was gingerbeer ;it was not baer.— His Worship dismissed the case. He also decided to return all the liquor seized by the constables.