CONFISCATED LIQUOR

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23574, 7 February 1940, Page 14

CONFISCATED LIQUOR

ALLEGED THEFT FROM-CELLS THREE MEN BEFORE COURT [from our own correspondent] HAMILTON, Tuesday The disappearance of ]O9 bottles pf beer, 17 bottles of whisky, and opp bottle of gin, valued at £'2o, from the police cells at Taijpifjruniji on November 26, 1939, led to the appearapce of three men before Mr. Justice Blair ip the Supreme Court at Hamilton today. Tlje accused, Jim Braithwaite, aped 80, jni'l workpr, George Thomas White, aged 34, husljman, apd Alva Vernon McMjnn, aged 2S, labourer, were charged with breaking into the cell, and with stealing and receiving the liquor. Evidence that on the evening of Novopiber 24, in company with two constables lie executed a search warrant on - the premises' of the accused, McMinn, was given by Sergeant J. Abel, of Tauinarunui. Thirty-six bottles of beer were seized. .McMinn asked that tlio beer be left with him, as there was a wedding on the following day. Witness, refused _ am} the bottles wpre tajcep to the police station, where they were placed in a cell along with other seized liquor and exhibits of liquor from.sl C'qurt case. The cell was JocJved. The following day, continued witness, McMinn again asked if he could obtain the liquor. Witness again refused.

At tin's point, the case was adjourned until to-morrow.