MAGISTERIAL.

Mataura Ensign, Issue 1139, 22 January 1903, Page 5

MAGISTERIAL.

GORE. This Day. (Before Mr Geo. Cruiekshank, S.M.) ' WEAK WHISKY. Police v. Tbos. Spear, charge of selling whisky which was mixed with water wi:h intent to fraudulently increase its bulk. Sergt. Bowron conducted the prosecution, and gave evidence as to the purchase of whisky and brandy from defendant at his licensed hotel at Herlot. Professor Black analysed the whisky, and reported that it containel'only one part of whisky to four of water.

Defendant admitted the offence, but pleaded that on the day in question there was a large land and stock sale on, and people coming in kept asking him to drink also, and ho watered this particular bottle for bis own use, and put it away by itself. During his temporary absence his wife had removed it, and put it beside some other bottles and decanters.— Fined os, costs of Court, 10s, and witness' expenses £l. I'ROHIKITEH i'KHSOX. Police v. John McAulift'e, charge of entering a licensed booth at Cattle Flat during the continuance of a prohibition order against him.

Mr Indcr, for accused, pleaded guilty, but said be had backed the winning horse in the last race, at.d went into the booth to get his money from the rarty with whom he had made the bet. Constable met him thcie, and challenged him with being McAuliffe, but he said his name was Drown, and went away. Constable Matbeson said that accused was under the influence of liquor, and ran away after denying his name. Constable Ilerlihy identified accused on the course—Fined £1 and 0s costs. CIVIL CASKS.

Holland and others (the Garry Owen Dredging Syndicate) v Jer-miah Dummy, claim £55.-Mr Inder nppered for plaintiffs. \l, P fm- Acir-nAant. nckerl fnr an

Mr roppelwell, for defendant, asked for an adjournment for three or four months. His client resided at Collmgwood, near Nelson, and would like to be present to defend the case, but could not get away before then. He had arranged with Mr Inder for an adjournment, without costs. As it might be necessary to apply to have defendant's evidence taken at Collingwood, an adjournment would then necessary. As the result of a consultation between himself and Mr Inder, be had telegrapned to delendant as to a settlement, but no reply had yet been received. Mr Inder, whilst not objecting to an adjournment, wished certain conditions imposed. The claim was on a cheque (payment of which had been stopped) given for the purchase of certain pontoons on the Clutha river. Defendant had not taken possession ot them, and his clients had to pay a man 8s ft day to look after them to prevent their breaking away and doing immense damage to other dredges lower down tbe river. He suggested that defendant should sell the pontoons as soon as possible, and let the proceeds be retained.

Mr I'oppelweli said tbe point was that the pontoons 'when the cheque was given were not in tbe condition in which they were when purchased or when defendant went to take possession, so he stopped payment of the cheque and refused to take delivery. Alter fuither discussion the case was adjourned for a iortnight, application to be made to take evidence at Collingwood and tbe papers to be in Court within that time unless a settlement was sooner arrived at. S. Fletcher (Mr Inder) v. B. L. Begg, ciaim £7 10s.—Judgment by default for £6 and costs £1 5s (id, leave reserved to defendant to apply for a rehearing if taken by surprise at the case coming on to-day, it having been generally understood that no civil cases would be taken.

S. Morison (Mr Inder) v. C. Shore, claim £!i li!s Od on a judgment summons.—Ordered to pay £1 per month, in default 1-1 days' imprisonment. (Left sitting.)