RESIDENT MAGISTRATE'S COURT.

Oamaru Mail, Volume II, Issue 493, 27 November 1877, Page 2

RESIDENT MAGISTRATE'S COURT.

THIS DAY. (Dcfore T. W. I'arkrr, Esq., R. 11.) SLV-OHOO SELLING. Michael Piper, boarding-house keeper, Wes'on, was charged witli having, on the 21st instant, sold to one George Matthors, one glass of whisky, contrary to the Licensing Act. Mr. O'Meagher appeared for the prosecution, and Mr. Buhner for the defence. The defendant pleaded not guilty. George Matthews, revenue constable, deposed that he was in Pipi-r's Boardinghouse on the evening of the 21st instant. He asked for some tea. There were two men in the house at the time. One had just finished tea, and the other was apparently drunk. After tea he was talking to the man that was drunk, who said lie was going to Elderslie, and he (witness) Baid he would go with him. He asked if (witness) was a detective. Mrs. Piper came in and told him site had only six beds in the house, so could not accommodate him. He (witness) wanted to Btay there that night. The man, Jack, having left the room, Mis. Piper and he were alone. He asked if he could have something to drink as lie was going to Elderslie. Slio hesitated, but asked what ho would take. He said a glass of whisky, which he had and paid sixpence for. Ho then left the house. Cross-examined by Mr. Balmer: Ho had somo eggs and tea. He did not see defendant in the house. No one was present when Mrs. Piper supplied him with the whisky. There was no one present when the man asked if he (witnesn) was a detective. It was only after he said he was going to Elderslie that he got the drink. Benjamin Welsh, mounted constable, stationed at Oamaru, stated that ho know a house called Piper's Loarding-housc, at Weston. He had never been inside: Mary Anne Piper, wife of the defendant, deposed that she remembered Matthews coming to her husband's house. She supplied hint witli tea. She knuw a man called "Jack," but did not know his other name She heard Jack ask Matthews if lie was not a detective. Matthews wanted a bed, but she told him tho house was full. She never gave him any diink. He never asked for a drink.

Cross-examined by Mr. O'Moaghor: Matthews had only boon in the houso a few minutes before her husband came in. He tolil her that Matthcwß was a detective. There was a hogshead of boor in the house. The beer was kent for tho boarders and her own nee. The houso was built for an hotel, but the license wbi refused. There was a bottle or two of whisky in the houso. She did not servo Matthews with a Rlasß of whisky; on her oath she did not.

Michael Piper stated that on the evenof the 2lKt instant lie t»aw Constable Matthews coming up from the railway. Ho * had a suspicion that ho was a detective. He gammoned to bo " hard un." The man tiny called Jack said ho did not look like a poor man from the " chucks on Ins face." He told his wife not to give any liquor to that man (meaning Matt,h«*T»), and he would swear that he had nothing but tea in his house. He (witness) had been hunting up Jack, but could not find him.

Cross-examined by Mr. O'Moaghor: He was not nfraid of a detective. Ho had warned his wife not to give Matthew* drink. If his wife served him with drink it was against his will or knowledge. Tho hogshead of beer came from Keast and M'Carthy's. He (witness) was working on the railway. Matilda Piper, daughter of tho last witn 88, deposed: S'le remembered seen Matthews on th<» 21st instant. Sh J. went into the kitchen and got him his l'' She did not give him any whisky or Mo anyone do so. She did not see any empty glasses about. Cross-examined by Mr. O'Meagher : She did not see Matthews get any wlu'sky. To the Bench: She did not know where - 1 her father was while Matthews was in tl' house. His Worship reserved his decision, t<> . j enable him to look over the depositions. After the hearing of two civil casus tho Court adjourned. n