CHARGE DISMISSED

Evening Post, Volume CXIII, Issue 15, 19 January 1927, Page 10

CHARGE DISMISSED

UNKNOWN BYLAW

DELIVERY OF LIQUOR,

(By Telegraph.)

(Special to "The Evenirr Post.") CHRISTCHURCH, This Day

A charge, against Oscar Egden, licensee of the Sandridge Hotel, brought to light a bylaw which was said to be unknown to the members of the legal profession and the public • generally. The charge was that the defendant aided and abetted George Bryden in the commission, of an offence, namely the introduction of liquor to the upper

sanatorium.

Sub-Inspector Mathew said that a patient named Brydeu had sent a letter to Egden asking him to send three bottles of beer and two bottles of whisky to the sanatorium, with 5s to bo given to someone to carry it. Mr. Sargent pointed out that .the letter said that the liquor was to be sent to the foot of the hills.

_ Joseph Kearney said that he was given a parcel by Mrs. Egden with instructions to take it,to the foot of the hills near the sanatorium. Witness waited for a man to call, but 'it was a long wait, so he went into the drive. The parcel was heavy and he put it in the long grass and went to look for Bryden. The parcel was not in the grass when he returned.

Mr. Sargent submitted that there was no case to answer against the defendant.. Mrs. Egden gave instructions that the parcel was to' be taken to tho foot of the hills. It was no. offence to supply a-patient with liquor, provided it was not taken on to the grounds. Counsel said that it was a grave injustice to the public that the bylaw was not made known.

The Magistrate, Mr.-Lawry, dismissed the case without prejudice.