Sly grog-Selling at Pukerua.

Evening Post, Volume XXX, Issue 2, 2 July 1885, Page 3

Sly grog-Selling at Pukerua.

Boujamiii Thatoher, a boardinghousckooper, residing at Pukcrua, was oharged yosterday at Paikakar.ki, before O. P. Lynch and F. Bradoy, Judtiooo, with Be'Hng liquor without a lioon&o on tho 14th June last. Constable Koche conduoted the prosecution. Defendant applied for an adjournment, t) enable him to got legal advice and to opU witnesses (or t{io dofenoo. The police eaid thoy ha^l no objeotion to a remand if the costs of the day were paid by tho defendant. The Bonoh, howover, oonsidored that ample timo had been ollowod defendant to got up his dofenco, and dooided to go on with the ewe. Mamlco Roohe, constable-in-oh\rge at Paikakarili, said he knew tho defendant, who kept a boardinghouse at Fukeraa. Witness had seen 120 gallons of beer landed at Pukerua on tho 16th May. The beer was oonsigaod to Thatoher by Staples & Co. On tho 27 ih of May three of tho four casks were returned to the brewery empty. Defendant horo admitted that the beer roferrod to had been consigned to him. The next witness nailed was John M'Cready, a labourer, who said he was at Thatcher's on tho oveniag of the 14th June. Bolleved he got drinks at Thatcher's that day; but did not romember paj ing for thorn. WitnoßS swore positively, in reply to the constable, tbat he had no money pn him that day, and afterwords admitted in cross examination that ho expected to have to pay for tho drinks he had orderod, as he '" did not «• poet anything for nothing." Had not paid for tho drinka since. WijineßS was oautionod by tbo Bench at this stage, as ho - was ovidontly giv'og most ovasiyo answers. Witness was certain ho did not soe any drinks paid for that day. Ucorgtt Bennett, - a labourer,' was at ' ThStoher's on the 14th June. Saw a fight, or row, between M'Cready and another man. Witness wo 3 a boarder in the house, and was thoro when tho last witneaa Game in. HfCready was evidently under the influence of drink. Witness copld nat swear that he tow any drinks supplied to M'Cready that day. Was playing draughts and euobro during ih& evening, bnt bad not played for drinks. Saw John O'Connor havo a glass of boer, and had one himself, but <hd not sea any money paid to: them. Money was always passing at Thatohor's for meab, and fitness would not notice wiiat-tho raonoy j was paid for. M'Cready pnlled out a pound noto while he was in the house, anil was " flashing" it about, offering to stako it on a fight or wrostling match. Had had ilrinks at Thatcher's before the 14th, bnt oould not say whothor drinks could bs got there irfany timo as a matter of course. John O'Connor, also a labourer, living at Pukoroa, romooiberod boing at Thatchers on the 14th. Shouted for a friend who went in with him and Hd a "boor" himsoJf, for which he left the money on tho tablo, " beoauso he did not want the boer for nothing." Witness did not sco tho money again affcor ho put it on the table, and believed it was taken by tho defendant's oook. Another man shouted for witness before he ordored any drinks. Tho coin witness hid on tho'tablo wa* a florin, and the beer was supplied in alo glasses. Spent no other money iv drink, but lost Bomo in betting. Saw M'Croady with a noto while ho WA3 in Th*toher's. Novor saw anyone elso' pay far drinks while witness was thdre. M'Croady was qnito sober enongh to remember what he was &»ng and saying. Constable Eooho Said that was the case. Ho would point out to the Bench that the vicinity of Thatohor's house was one of the most dangorous places in Now Zealand for ehankon men to frequent, as they had to pass a, high and precipitous cliff goiDg backwards and forwards, and referred to tho late tragedy at Nenthorn as a consequonce of sly grog shops on railway works. Tho Court was oloared for a short . time, and on resuming, tho Justices said thoy Had dooided to inflict n penalty of .£2O and coats, or one month's imprisonment with hard labour. Notice of appoal was given,