DRUNKENNESS.

Southland Times, Issue 19193, 3 November 1903, Page 3

DRUNKENNESS.

.Walter Clark, who pleaded guilty, Was sentenced to 14 days' imprisonment, with, hard labour, Lhtis being his third appearance within six months. ■;■■■.• THEFT. -Patrick Moriarty pleaded guilty to a, charge of stealing a bottle of brandy, value 6s 6d, from P. Flynn, of the >Wrey& Bush hotel. jfir W. Macalister, who appeared for the; accused, said that Moriarty had represented^ him that he took tho bottle by mistake, but he could not undertake to sustain that, and was therefore advised, under the circumstances, to plead guilty. There was just a possibility that a mistake had been made, and counsel asked tho Court to take that into consideration. Accused had purchased a bottlo of beer in the tiotel, and when leaving took a bottle of brandy instead, leaving the beer on the counter. Counsel understood, however, that the brandy was taken from a shelf, Hot from the counter, and if that were so, it would be difficult to defend. Accused was under the influence of Uquor ut the time, and thero was a bare possibility of a, mistako occurring. Inspector Mitchell said that tho I facts had been fairly stated by counsel. The brandy bottle, however, had a capsule on it, and was behind tho counter- Accused had bought a bot- - tlo of beer, and' was not satisfied with the quantity ho received for his

sixpence, as it was only three parts full. He left it on the counter in anger, and went batik and took tho brandy bc<ttle instead. This was his first appearance on a charge of theft. The Magistrate (inquired whether there were any previous convictions. — Tho Inspector proved convictions for indecent assault at Dunedin and assault at Gore. A sentence of 14 days' imprisonment, with hard labour, was inflicted. SUNDAY TRADING, Alex. McMillan, Wallacetown, was charged with inciting the licensee ol the Wallacetown Hotel to commit a breach of the Licensing Act, by "purchasing liquor on Sunday, 4th October. Defendant pleaded guilty. Inspector Mitchell said that tho charge rose out of the late Wallacetown Hotel cases. The defendant was a wry near neighbour of tho licensee's, and it was no unusual thing for him to go to the hotel on Sundays. To go in, under these circumstances, and ask for a drink was part and parcel of the offonce in which liquor is supplied. The information was laid under section 49 of ' the Justices of the Peace Act. Defendant said" that he often went to the hotel for his meals, and had no intention of breaking the law. The Magistrate pointed out that as a result of the act otf defendant and others the licensee was convicted on two oTences. his license endorsed, and the value of his house materially reduced. Defendant was liaihle to a penalty of £20, but his action in pleading guilty to the offence would be considered, and a fine of 40s imposed, with costs -7s lid.