ALLEGED SLY GROG-SELLING AT BALCLUTHA.

Evening Star, Issue 10399, 21 August 1897, Page 2

ALLEGED SLY GROG-SELLING AT BALCLUTHA.

CONTRADICTORY WITNESSES,

[Special to the Star.]

BALCLUTHA, August 21. The sly grog cases were heard to-day before Mr Hawkins, S. M. The case against John Dunne was taken first. He was defended by Mr D. D. Macdonald, and pleaded not guilty. Evidence was given by. Constable Hill that he went to Dunne’s on July 20 with a man named Duncan and got whisky, Duncan paying for it with a two-shilling piece that Hill ga’ve him (Duncan), afterwards returning him the shilling change he got from Dunne. Duncan’s evidence, was that they went to Dunne’s at the instigation of Hill, who said he was ill and wanted a whisky ; that Dunne told them he had not a drop in the house; and that they came out without getting any, Duncan returning Hill his two-shilling piece after they came out. Mr Macdonald submitted that the case must be dismissed. Two sets of facts had been brought out, and they were mutually destructive. Duncan’s story was just as likely to be true as Hill’s—in fact, it was the more probable of the two. Mr Hawkins, after recalling Duncan and putting one or two questions, said he would not call upon the defence for any evidence. Hill’s story was a most improbable one, and he could not conceive that any man with ordinary shrewdness would act as Hill said he he had done in telling Duncan he was a detective from Gatlins; and that Dunne would be foolish to give him whisky after that, and to say that he would give him whisky by himself, but not in company with a stranger. On the whole, ha preferred the evidence of Duncan, as being the more proThe case was dismissed. A similar charge against J. J. Dunne was withdrawn.

M'Corley’s cases (four informations) were adjourned till next Saturday, Inspector Pardy stating that one of hia witnesses subpoenaed was not in attendance, and at his request the magistrate issued a warrant for his apprehension. Mr Reid appeared for M'Corley.