THE LIQUOR LAW.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLIII, Issue 13084, 25 January 1906, Page 6

THE LIQUOR LAW.

A JUSTICE OF THE PEACE FINED. The monthly sitting of the Magistrate's Court at Te. Awamutu was held on Tuesday last, before Mr. H. W. Northcroft, S M. L. Larsen, residing near Hangitiki, in the King Country, was charged on. the information of Constable McPhee with supplying two native women working at the Te Awamutu flaxmill with beer. The accused pleaded guilty. The two Maori women, in giving their evidence, stated that they met the accused in To Awamutu. They stated that the accused made certain improper overtures to them, which they did not fall in with. However, on receiving the bottle of beer they took it to Constable McPhee and told the constable what had taken place. In answer to a question from the magistrate, the accused stated that he p'.eaded guilty to the offence. He was under the influence of drink at the time, and did not. know what he was doing. It was true that lie. held the position of a justice of the peace, but now intended to resign that position. The magistrate stated that the accused, holding the position of a justice of the peace, had committed a most serious offence. He | was pleased to hear the way in which the | native women had acted in" the matter by [ going straight to the police and refusing to be led away by the accused. Unless the accused handed in his resignation as a justice of the peace to the clerk of the Court, he (the magistrate) would report the matter to the proper quarter. Accused was fined the full penalty of £10, and costs £2 9s. OTHER CASES. Plnmga Katipa. a young half-caste, was convicted and fined £2 and coats £4 7s, for 'supplying a g'.ass of beer and lemonade to a native woman. Edward Leva-lie was charged, on the information. of Constable MePhee, with supplying liquor to one Harry Rae, a, prohibited .person. Accused pleaded guilty, and stated that he met the man Rae on the road when he gave him a drink of beer from a bottle. Constable McPhee said that Rae was knocking about the township for some days, more, or less drunk. Unfortunately (here were some wople about who were contemptible enough to carry liquor to these prohibited people. The magistrate stater! that they had 1 he same thing to put up with at other centres. Accused was lined £3 and 7s costs.