DRUNK OR NOT?

Sun (Christchurch), Volume VI, Issue 1735, 5 September 1919, Page 3

DRUNK OR NOT?

CHARGE AGAINST LICENSEE.

A case arising out of circumstances connected with a suicide was heard at Bakaia yesterday, before Mr T. 'A. B. Bailey, S.M., when Peter Galligan, licensee of the South Rakaia Hotel, was charged with selling liquor to T. A. Hood, on May 31, on which day Hood was allegedly in a state of intoxication. Sergeant Ryan, Ashburton, conducted the prosecution, and Mr J. A. Cassidy appeared for the licensee. W. B. Cranston, farmer, Edendale, deposed that he met Hood at Canterbury Park. They took the train to Rakaia, and en route drank from a bottle of whisky carried by Hood. He was positive Hood was not drunk when Bakaia was reached. They dined at Galligan's hotel. After having a glass of beer, Hood called for champagne, which was served in the private sitting room. Five persons drank the champagne. He would not swear that the licensee said that Hood had had enough. Hood's speech indicated that he had had liquor, but in witnesses opinion he was not drunk.

B. Topping stated that when he last saw Hood that night Hood was perfectly sober. Similar evidence was given by J. Neal and T. Cromie. In ruling that the evidence was not sufficiently strong to convict the licensee, the-Magistrate remarked on the unsatisfactory evidence tendered by Cranston, as compared with his statement at the inquest on Hood.