THE LIQUOR LAW.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 14698, 4 December 1909, Page 15

THE LIQUOR LAW.

SLY GROG-SELLING. 'A SUBSTANTIAL FINE. At fho City Police Court yesterday before Mr J. R. Bartholomew, S.M., Margaret Parker was charged with bavin", on November 18, at St. Kilda, sold beer without being licensed eo lo do. Mr Hanlon appeared for accused, who lileaded "Guilty." Sub-inspector Phair said that the accused was formerly owner of the Grand Pacific Hotel, which lost its liconso when reduction was carried. It. wos afterwards carried on by accused as tea rooms. Lately tho police became awnro that large quantities of liquor bad been taken to tho place, and two constables, partly attired as navals. there being a camp located near by, went there. They wore served with both beer and whisky, for which they paid. They then came out to Scrgeajit Emerson, who was waiting, and at onoo a search warrant was executed. Kom of beer (18 gallons and 10 gallons) and whisky bottles (empty and full) were fouwl. He drew attention to tho fact that this siy grog-shop was quite close to and in opposition to a lijensed hotel, which had to pay heavily for its license, and apparently the sly grog opposition had done splendid trade. During the time that accused was licensee of the hotel she was convicted for permitting prohibited riorsons on the premises and for selling liquor during prohibited hours, for which olfonco her license was endorsed.

For (ho defence, Mr Hanlon said that there were extenuating circumstances. Accused was a widow, who, in obedience to t.hc Licensing Committee, had put all her inonoy into repairing the liotol. When tho liccnse was lost three years lalor she was ruined. Tho place was hers, it was true, but the mortgages on it ivould absorb all that the buildings would .iow realise. His Worship said he could see no redeeming feature in tho case. Truly, accused had l>een unfortunate. He thought he would not bo doing his duty if ho treated accused lenient'!}'. A lino of £50 would bo imposed. On tho application of Mr Hanlon, a month was allowed in which to pay tho fine. A second charge of selling whisky on tho name date was withdrawn by consent. (Per United Phess Association.) WELLINGTON, December 3. Two men were convicted to-day of sly grog-selling in the city. Alexander Lindray, a first offender, wits fined £10. or one month, and Alexander M'Leod was sentenced to six weeks without an option, as ho had been previously convicted. SOLICITING ORDERS. (Fee United Press Association.) ASIIBURTON, December 3. James Lorgelly, a hotelkeepcr, of Methven, in the Sotwyn licensing district, was to-day fmed £10 on a charge of soliciting an order for liquor on tho Ashburton Racecourse. Tho ease arose out of a sly grog case heard a fortnight, ago, when Lorgelly gave evidence which led to his own conviction to-day.