LAW AND POLICE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXI, Issue 7003, 28 April 1884, Page 6

LAW AND POLICE.

POLICE COURT-Satitrday. [Before Messrs. F. L. Films and_F. Magoire, J.P'fl.] pEtTNKKNNESS.—Three .persons' Were fined, with the nsu&l alternative of imprisonment, for being drank. Larceny. — Alfred Kenny Smith was charged with Btealing three bottles of scent, worth 7s, the property of Frederick Campbell ; also with stealing an overcoat, worth 20s, the property of Michael May. He pleaded guilty to betb oharges. There were several previous convictions against the accused. On the last occasion he was discharged, bat ordered to come up for sentence when called for. He went to New Caledonia, where he remained for some time, but on his return he commenced thieviog again. He was sentenced to three months' imprisonment with hard labour. Wife Desertion. —Henry Kelly was charged with deserting his wife. Mr. Napier, who appeared for the prosecutrix, said that the parties had settled their dispute, and they had returned to Ohinemun. Under these circnmstances, he asked leave to withdraw the charge. ' Sunday Liquor Traffic,—PatrickLynch, .licensee of the Alexandra Hotel, Parnell, was brought up ou a charge of selling beer to Robeit Brewin on Sunday, ths 20th inat. Mr. Hesketh appeared for the defence, and pleaded guilty, and explained that Mr. Brewin had been in the habit of sometimes staying at the hotel; but on this occasion he could not contend that he was a bond Jide traveller. He was fined 20s and costs. Two other charges were withdrawn. John Retallick, licensee of the York Hotel, Newton, was brought up on three oharges under the Lioensing Act: (1) Selling a pint of beer to Henry Kigley on Sunday 23rd of March; (2) selling gin to May Byers on the same day ; and (3) selling gin to Patrick Hennessy on the same day, these people not being bena Jide lodgers or travellers. Mr. Uesketh appeared for the defence, and said in this case he could not plead guilty. These men Mr. Retallick. invited to dinner with him. He placed a bottle of gin on the table, of which they partook, but there was no Bale. Sergeant White drew attention to the clause of the Aofc defining the nature of a sale or consumption. Constable Clarke deposed that on Snnday, the 23rd of March, he visited the York Hotel at twenty minutes past eight in the evening. He saw the three persons seated at the table. Each had a glass of gin in front of him, and there was a bottle of gin on the table. They said they had been invited to supper by Mr. Retallick, and were just having a glass before they went away, and one of them said they had not paid for it. The landlord said : " I kuow you have not paid, but you will have to pay." This occurred in the kitchen, and the servant girl said to Mr. Retallick, " You are oaught now." Henry Rigley deposed that he was at the York Hotel on the day in question. He was invited there. Constable Clarke came in after eight o'clock. They had supper before this at about seven o'olock. They were invited by the housekeeper, an old lady. Hennessy went in with him. Witness's yard adjoined that of the hotel, and the housekeeper came to him, and said she had a friend inside, and to come in and have some supper. No one called for the gin, but Mr. Retallick brought it in and asked them to have a drop of something before they went. Witness very often had supper at the hotel. Mr. Retallick treated thetggas guests in his private kitchen, and they had no drink until they were going away, and there was no calliDg for drink, or purchase of drink. Patrick Hennetsy gave similar evidence, and Constable Bernard, who accompanied Constable Clarke, corroborated his evidence. The case was dismissed, and the other two were withdrawn.