CHARGE AGAINST A BREWER.

Mataura Ensign, 28 October 1908, Page 4

CHARGE AGAINST A BREWER.

A charge of improper entries on May 13 was brought against Richard Whitting-ham, proprietor of the Big-gar-street brewery, at Invercargill yesterday, Mr H. A. Macdonaid prosecuting, and Mr Xoave defending. Mr M.aodonald explained that five two-gallon kegs had been sent out and the book showed ten. When defendant found that the stamps did not balance he made entries to balance them. Mr Neave said there was no intention to defraud.

The Court thought that defendant had evidently marie a mess of his stamps and had faked the stamp account to make them balance. Mr Neave: The man honestly thought he was entitled to do this. Defendant, sworn, stated that he had found five slumps short on counting up and so he entered up l'O kegs in the brewery book instead of five to balance. He used to balance up pretty often. Witness then proceeded to give the same explanation us ill the previous cases, going into previous and subsection! monthly balances. What he had done was in the best of his faith and what ho considered right. Mr Cruickshank said that ho was more satisfied than ever with Mr Whittingham's evidence, and it would have been a shame to line him £SO. The casu was, therefore, dismissed, and leave for appeal was granted the Crown.