LIQUOR FOR NATIVES.

Hawera Star, Volume XLV, 20 August 1925, Page 9

LIQUOR FOR NATIVES.

A SERIOUS OFFENCE. OFFENDERS SEVERELY DEALT WITH. Heavy fines were imposed at the Hawera Magistrate’s Court to-day on parties concerned in the supplying of liquor to natives for consumption off licensed premises. Joseph Dombroski, who >vas charged with supplying the liquor to the natives, was represented by Mi' O’Dea, who entered a plea of guilty. Kaaln Wallace, who was similarly charged," was represented: by Mr Gibson, who also pleaded guilty. Wallace also pleaded guilty to a further charge of aiding and allotting Dombroski in the commission of an offence. Gordon E. Chisnall also pleaded l guilty in respect to a charge of aiding and abetting Dombroski. Sergeant Henry said that on July 38 Dombroski drove into Norma nby, and on the way met Wallace and another native, and gave them a lift. During the afternoon Wallace saw Chisnall and made arrangements for a supply of beer, and as a result Chisnall ordered five gallons of beer, but found that there was no container available in which to take the liquor away. Later Dombroski called with a cream can, and took it away containing the five gallons of beer. The liquor was taken to a native’s residence, where about eight natives were waiting for it. Dombroski had some drinks and then left, and when Constable Pidgeon appeared on the scene all but two of the natives fled. Sergeant Henry said that during the afternoon Constable Pidgeon had noticed a movement amongst the natives, and 1 from then on had watched the whole proceedings. The sergeant pointed out that severe penalties had been inflicted in such cases, but seemed to have no effect. The supplying of liquor to natives was no light matter, and some day would result in serious crime. It appeared that as long as- natives had money they could get liquor. Mr O’Dea said that Dombroski stated that the natives ,had a6ked him to carry the can to the hotel, they mentioning that all arrangements had been made. Dombroski had not realised the seriousness of the offence. Mr Gibson said that Wallace didi not pay Chisnall for the beer, and did very little in the direction of aiding and abetting. Wallace was a native of only 22 years of age. Sergeant Henry said that Constable Pidgeon had seen natives of 18 years of age drinking the beer. Chisnall said, that he was going to buy some beer to take out to Dombroski’s place, but as there was no con-, tainer he went away without it. He

did' not know anything about the matter until he was later interviewed by the police. The magistrate (Mr J. S. Barton, S.M.) said that the offence was a serious one, but the. law in this connection was continually broken, in spite of warnings in the shape of heavy fines. Dombroski was fined £2O and 11s costs, recoverable by distress, in default two months’ imprisonment. Wallace was fined £ls and 21s costs, recoverable by distress, in default six weeks’ imprisonment. Chisnall was fined £ls and 7s costs, the same provisions being made as in Wallace’s case. Wallace, on the charge of aiding and abetting, was convicted and ordered to pay 5s costs. The magistrate said that the next case of the kind that he dealt with in this district he would impose the maximum penalty. Under one section of the Act the maximum was £IOO, and under another it was £SO.