ONEHUNGA R.M. COURT.—Wednesday.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXI, Issue 7000, 24 April 1884, Page 3

ONEHUNGA R.M. COURT.—Wednesday.

[Before Mr. Thomas Jackson, R.M.] ■ Licensing Act.—John Gill Collings, landlord of the Manukau Hotel, was charged with selling liquor on Sunday. , Sergeant Greene prosecuted, Mr. JS. Hesketh appeared for. the defendant. It was admitted that drink was sold. John Sonner deposed that he was at the. house on Sunday and had some drink—one glass of beer. He then left by the coach for Newmarket. He slept in Onehunga on the previous night. Martin Herrick was also in the house. .. He walked down there to catch, the coach. Martin Herrick deposed that he resided in Onehnnga. About mid-day on Sunday was in the Manukau Hotel with the last witness. Had drink, but was not. certain whether it was shandy-gaff or beer. Did not know who supplied the drink. Did not know defendant, who had only lately taken over the house. question .was asked him as to whether he was a traveller, and he did not represent himßelf as such. J. G. Collings, defendant, deposed that on Sunday, 23rd March, the two witnesses came to his hotel, and he supplied them with drink. On that day there were fiva steamers lying at the wharf, beside the Wanaka, - which arrived that morning.. A' great number of passengers were supplied with refreshments, both food and ■ drink, including ' coffee. . His bar is altogether' closed on Sundays, and persons entitled to be supplied get it either in a passage or the bar parlour. He was very cautious on that particular Sunday in making enquiry, a3 it was the first Sunday after the eleotion of the Licensing * Committee, which he believed were elected on the teetotal ticket. The two witnesses were strangers te him, and he was particularly led to believe they were travellers by the steamer because they inquired when the next coach left for Auckland. He put the question to a number of people then present, bnt conld not swear that he put the question directly to them. Defendant was convicted, and fined 20s, and coats, 21s.

Another Case.—Robert Temahan was charged with selling liquor on the 20ih March after tea o'clock at sight. Mr. Sj Hesketh appeared for the defence; Mr. Sheldrick depoeed he lived in Onehnnga nearly opposite the Eibernia Hotel, kept* by defendant. Remembered the night of a circus entertainment. The tent was pitched in a paddock at the rear of the hotel. War in the hotel that night before ten o'clock and had a drink. A. Dunwoodie deposed he lived in Onehunga, and was Chairman of the Licensing Committee. Recollect the night the circus was in Onehnnga. Was in the neighbourhood of the hotel on that evening at half-past ten p.m. and afterwards. It Was after the performance was over and in passing the corner of the hotel'saw the bar lit. up, and fall of people. Was surprised, as a short time before had passed: when the bar was closed and no one in it. When he looked through the window the' second time, saw the last witness drinking' something at the bar. Saw Sergeant Greene and called his attention to the fact. Sergeant Greene stated that in consequence of what the last witneis said to him, he went into the hotel by the side door, .which, waa open, and into the bar. Several, persons were in the bar.' Two residents were present, bnt he did not see anyone drinking. It was then more than half-past "ten p.m. This case waa dismissed.