SLY GROG CASES

Otago Daily Times, Issue 17065, 25 July 1917, Page 7

SLY GROG CASES

PROSECUTIONS AT PALMERSTON. HEAVY FINKS IMPOSED. A sitting- of the Magistrate/ b Court was held at Palmcrston yesterday, Mr J. R. Bartholomew, S.M., presiding. Tho principal uaaea dealt with arose out of sly grogselling, in which Jessie Mail was oharged. Others wero oharged with delivering liquor in tho uo-lioenso area in which Mrs Moir's house is situate, and with being on tho promises. Sub-inspector MaUkkSon proscouted. Tho Qrst cose takun was that against Jcssio Moir, who was charged with soiling sly grog and keeping liquor for sale in a no-l.oonao area. Mr W. U. Arklo appeorod for defendant, who pleaded "Guilty" to both charges. Sub-inspector Mathiecon 6aid that defendant kopt a boarding ho use in Polinerston. and for a considerable time, but more : especially during tho past blx months, she had carried on u systematic trado in liquor. Men wero seen to enter tho hoiuso com porutivoly sober and to cmargo in a more ; or less drunken condition. In oonsequence of oonipluuits, ConsUblo Snialo was sent to iho district on special duty, his instructions being to visit tho defendant's house. Al- ' though u completo strongor, tho oonstablo j had no difficulty in bo.ng supplied with ! litjuor by tho defendant. He was provided with whisky, and others present wero similarly provided. A bottle containing whisky | was in ovidonoe, and the others present showed signs of drunkenness. He (the Subinspector) had evidence to prove that on ono occasion 15 cases of whisky had been delivered at one time. Tho liquor on that occasion was oonveyed by motor surreptitiously to defendant's premises. Sinoe March a man named Geo. Wilson had con- ' veyed five lots of liquor, includ.ng a 10gallon cask of whisky, to defendant's promises. Mo doubt leniency would bo claimed on the grouad that defendant had pleaded "G-uilty," but that decision was arrived at only after oureful inquiry as to tho strength of the police evidence. Mr Arklo, in asking for leniency, pointed out that defendant was not keeping a common drink shop, as the prosecution had alleged, but kept a first-class boardinghouse. Tho Magistrate t The statement made by tho Sub-inspector did not oast any refleotion on defendant's conduct of the boardinghouse. Counsel, continuing, said that Mrs Moir had had a great deal of trouble in her life. She had an invalid husband, and her only son bad gone on active service. She haa also lost money in farming. Defendant absolutely denied having received 15 cases of liquor at any one time. Two gallons was the most slie had received at one time. "The Sub-inspector wants to maJso tho case as black, as he can." The Sub-inspector: "Well, you can make it as white as you oan." Mr Arkle: "The Sub-inspector is telling a deliberate falsehood." The Sub-inspector (smiling): "All right, go ahead." Counsel said that defendant threw herself on the mercy of the court. He oould assure his Worship that tho offence would not be repeated. The Sub-inßpector: "I know that the defendant went into the boardinghouse almost penniless, and she has now a good banking account." Defendant; "I deny that." The Magistrate said it was orvident. that eystematio Bly grog-selling had been indulged in. He did hot think there was any substantial ground for leniency becausc the defendant was a woman. He was afraid that to do so would be subversive of th.o law on tho point. No-lioense had been in force for a considerable time in the district, and it was now too late in the day to plead for leniency. The defendant would be fined £50' and oosts (7s). George Wilson was charged with delivering liquor, having reasonable grounds for suspect ng that it was intended for sale. Defendant, who pleaded "G-uilty," was defended by Mr Arkle. Sub-inspector Mathicson said that Wilson was a sheep-shearing machine expert, and up till a short time ago had resided with his parents in Dunedin at St. Clair. Since March he had spent. a good deal of' his time at Palmerston. Ho admitted procuring two gallons of whisky and taking it to Palmerston. Ho was believed to bo the principal medium by which the liquor was taken to the woman Moir. When the premises were raided Wilson was seen endeavouring to get out of a window with two bottles of liquor in his possession. Mr Arkle said that defendant had tried four times to get into camp, and on tho lost occasion had succeeded in passing. He handed documents to the bench in support of his statement. He was going into camp on August 22.. He would there be away from a similar temptation. The Magistrate said that the guilt of the person who supplied was hardly less than tho woman who sells, and but for the fact that Wilson >was going into camp ho would bo fined the 9ame amount as the previous defendant. He would, however, be fined £20 and oosts (7s). Mr Arkle said tho money would be paid at onoe. Thomas Kitchen, William M'Alwee, and George Wilson all pleaded "Guilty" to being on the prenrses with) liquor in their possession, and were each fined £2, with costs (7s).