SEIZURE OF SMUGGLED SPIRITS AT THE NORTH SHORE. ARREST OP MR. JAMES HOLMES.

Daily Southern Cross, Volume XXI, Issue 2600, 17 November 1865, Page 5

SEIZURE OF SMUGGLED SPIRITS AT THE NORTH SHORE. ARREST OP MR. JAMES HOLMES.

A seizure of a large quantity of smuggled spirits was made yesterday at Holmes's Hotel, North Shore, j and Mr. James Holmes is now in custody, charged j with having it in hii possession. The seizure made by the police in the beginning of the week at Riverhead seems to Have put the Customs authorities somewhat on the alert, and yesterday I morning, in couseqnenc6>of iuforiLationreoeived, Mr. Tabuteau applied to Mr. Commissioner Naughton for two officers to visit the North Shore on a searching expedition. Constable! McGloue and Harnett were Kent, the former ef whom had assisted in the discovery of the spirits at Riverhead. Mr, Tabutean and the officers, having crossed to the North Shore in the steamer, proceeded to, Holmes's hotel, and demanded to be admitted to the cellars. Access is obtained to the principal cellar by a trap-door in front of the hotel, and [on searching this place, in the presence of Mr. John Holmes, Mr. Tabuteau made a seizure of eight quarter-casks (containing 28 gallons each) and one hhd. of spirits, and two cases of gin. It it said that all the casks aud cases bore the same brand 'as those found at Rivet head, and were part of the large cargo brought from S> dney by the ' St. Hilda' schooner. Wo understand that ou the officers asking Mr. John Holmes how he came by the spirits, he denied all knowledge of them whatever. Mr. Jamet Holme*, in whose name the hotel license is granted, was then taken down to the cellar, but he also deuied having auy knowledge of the spirits. Every room in the hotel was then searched, but nothing else that could be identified as being contraband was found. The spirits were taken possession of by the Customs officers aud brought over to Auckland, aud Mr. James Holmes was given into the custody of the police, and lodged in the lock-up in the erening. Mr. Holmes will be brought \ip at the Police Court this morning, along with Mr. Stevenson, who obtained b»il on Tuesday last. The prosecution vrill be conducted by Mr. Gillies on behalf of Mr. Mills, Collector of Customs, and we hear that Mr. Wynn aud Mr. Brookfield have been engaged for the defence. These seizures have both taken place iv consequence of the suspicions entertained by Sergeant-Major Molloy, when, on returning from the Kaipara, he saw a cart loaded with empty casks going towards the Riverhead Hotel.