CHARGE AGAINST A LICENSING COMMISSIONER.

New Zealand Times, Volume XLIII, Issue 7222, 18 July 1884, Page 8

CHARGE AGAINST A LICENSING COMMISSIONER.

Invercargill, July 11. The charge of sitting as a Licensing Commissioner in Invercargill while he was interested in an hotel in Chafcton district was again brought againrt John Kiugslaud, at the Resident Magistrate’s Court, by the Licensed Trades Protection Society. After putting in a. certificate to show that Kingsland was the owner, counsel for the complainants called W, Morris, who deposed that he was a publican, residing at Chatton. He owned a hotel ©f that name. The land was transferred in October last. The reason for transferring the land was that he owed about £SOO on the place, aud found it necessary to extend the pre« mises, but had no money, and consequently Kingsland, Surman, and Stock, who endorsed his bill, signed an agreement with Kingsland to the effect that on hia paying the bill they endorsed he would get back the land. The place was a mere shanty when he bought it, but the old buildings had been pulled down and a new one erected, since which time the license had existed. In regard lo the new building, he paid part of the money for it, and could not say if “ the stables ** were nailed to poles. Counsel for defence, contended such a house was a movable chattel. After the adjournment, hia Worship stated that as to the house not being in the district in which Mr Kingsland eat, he thought the Act meant any licensing district in the colony. It was not necessary for a man's name to appear in the cert ficate to show that be hai beneficial interest in a property. It had been proved Mr Kingsland was part owner, but the plaintiff bad failed to show that the building was not a moveable chattel. It should have been proved that there were chimneys in the place. The case would be dismissed. Notice of appeal to the higher coart was given.