SLY GROG-SELLING IN CLUTHA.

Otago Witness, Issue 2317, 28 July 1898, Page 27

SLY GROG-SELLING IN CLUTHA.

TWO MORE CONVICTIONS.

HEAVY FINES IMPOSED.

(From Our Own Correspondent.] Tapanui, July 21.

There was a l».rge attendance in the court to day acd much interest taken in ths charges of sly grog-selling which were to come before Mr R. S. Hawkins, S.M. Mr J. V. M. Fraeer, Crown prosecutor assisted Inspector Pardy to conduct the cases.

Mr Sinclair, who had been engaged for tbe defuiee, attempted to stay proceedings by intiznatiiig that an application had b.eo iilerl in the Supreme Couit for a writ of pri.li bition. In reply to a question, Mr Sinclair alated that the ground for the application was that the informations had been sworn before an interested justice. His Worship over-ruled the point. An adjournment was then cskea for but refused, and Mr Sinclair then vvithe'rew i'rom the cases.

GOOSEBERRY AVINB,

Patrick M'Caon was charge! with telling whisky and beer on the 6s,h July without a license.

. James Arthur Cruick&hauk deposed that be wsb a palice constable, and was foimrrly a rabbit- »<;ent iv the Stock depwlmeut. Bttwc-en 10 and 11 o'click on the night of July 6, he was in M'Cann'a Hotel. Hb asked for " g>oseberry wine," or something to that efLct. They ■went into tho bor, and wtra sjpplied w'.th whisky. M'Cann had a drink with thena. He gave M'Cauu a two-shilling piece and got 6i change. John Simsol Melville, a poiico consfca'olo attached to the Danedin force, corroborated Cruickfhank's evidence almost word for word.

No defence was seb up

His Worship convicted M'Cann and fined him £80. He expressed disapproval of technical objections being raised to delay proceedings.

COLD TKA.

Augustus Munjard was charged with selling whisky en the 7th July, and pleaded not guilty.

Constable CruScKsbauk deposed that on the 7th July be was in Muuj ard's premises in company with Melville. About hall-past 12 p.m. they went into the bar. Melville asked defendant if be had any " cold tea" left. Defendant »aid " Ye?," and put a black bottle with two glasses bstoie them. The bottle contained whieky. They helped thernaelvcs. Melville afterwards put down a shilling, which &»hndant tGok up.

Defendant was convicted and fined £60

In etch case the Crown proseeufcjr asktd for a heavy penalty, M'Canu having two convictions, and Munyard one against him.