ALLEGED SLY GROG-SELLING.

Otago Witness, 1 June 1910, Page 13

ALLEGED SLY GROG-SELLING.

A MYSTERIOUS HOUSE.

Before Mr H. Y. Widdowson, S.M.. at I;he City Police Court on May 25, Herbert 'Robinson waus charged with selling liquor on unlicensed premises. Mr Hawkins appeared' for defendant, who pleaded "Not guilty."

j Sub-Inspector Phair stated that on April j 11 two men. near Bastines's Hotel were jn~ oaohed by defendant and acoompaniedi : him to a house, where he served them j with drink on payment. j Michael Jones, labourer, gave evidence I to having accompanied two persons to a j house in Athol place. There was a lady iin the kitchen. Witness had a few drinks, and could not say whether defendant was there. He had given- someone (be could not remember whom) some money, and' j could not describe the woman he saw in the kitchen. He did not notice what she i wore; all he knew was that she wa6 sit- | ting- down. ! The Sub Inspector asked that this woman 1 be brought into court. j Mr Hawkins objected on the grounds i that witness had not identified or described ■ her.

In reply to Mr Hawkins, witness said' be had not been able to find the house after the occasion of his first visit till , the detectives found it for him, after a J great deal of difficulty. j A young woman was then brought into ! court, and identified bv witness as beingI the woman he saw in the house in Athol ! place, but wearing 'better apparel. Witness, continuing, said defendant received money from him, and after a series of brief absences i-eturned with beer in bottles. There was an hotel near by, and I defendant had presumably bought the bear ! there.

John Keogb, labourer, said he was busv looking for work in the vicinity of Bastings's Hotel, when the last witness tapped him on the shoulder and introduced him to a young fellow, who produced a bottle of beer. Jones becoming rather overwhelmed wished to lie down. Witness advised him not to as he would only be " run in" again. A young fellow said they had better come home with him. They did so, and found in the kitchen a young lady drinking a cup of beef tea. — (Laughter.) He and Jones being desirous to get beer, their host said he would get some, and receiving 2s 6d from Jones, returned with beer in " square riggers," and some, port wine. On Jones (producing another 2s 6d another expedition was made, with similar results. Mr Jones becoming ohstreporous was put to bed, witness was conducted outside in a friendly manner. He was trnable to identify any of the parties, and had never 6een defendant before. At this stage the case was dismissed.