MEDICINAL WINE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXII, Issue 22046, 28 February 1935, Page 12

MEDICINAL WINE

SALE TO CONSTABLE " INDUCEMENT BY POLICE " [BY telegraph—OWN correspondent] GISBORNE. Wednesday "It seems a strange thing to me that when a persons says he does not supply a thing that the police should induce him to procure it," said Mr. E. L. Walton, S.M., in the Magistrate's Court to-day when a charge was preferred against a local storekeeper of selling wine in a quantity less than two gallons. "It is going too far to induce a man to commit an offence and then to prosecute him for it." It was stated that a constable in plain clothes had been instructed to visit various business premises to purchase medicine containing over 3 per cent proof spirit. At the store in question be asked for a bottle of a certain medicinal wine, but was told it would have to be sent for, as it was not stocked. At the police station the witness was instructed to go back and get the defendant to procure the wine, and this he did. .He ascertained later that the wine had been procured frpm a chemist's shop. Witness added that the medicinal wine was generally used for dance parties, as it had more 'kick ' in. it than other liquors. For the defence, Mr. J. b. Wauchop contended that there was no case to answer. The constable was told that the medicinal wine was not stocked, but as a favour, and in keeping with the practice of the store, an offer was made to procure it. Defendant had not made a Bale, but the assistant had acted as an agent for the constable in making the purchase. 1 , f The magistrate agreed that a case ot agency had been established and dismissed the information. Several similar prosecutions .were heard, involving purchases of medicinal vrines, and in these convictions and fines were recorded.