SPIRITS IN THE KING COUNTRY.

Colonist, Volume LVII, Issue 14143, 21 July 1916, Page 7

SPIRITS IN THE KING COUNTRY.

SLY GROG TRAFFIC

[United Press Association.]

Te Kuiti, July 18. Lurid light was shed on the sly grog traffic in the King Country in th^ Magistrate's Court ,to-day in the case of a man charged with a breach of; his prohibition order. Mr Finlay, counsel for the defence, pleaded that his client was not* guilty

of a breach, as he had drunk methylated spirits. Dr. Will gave evidence that it was a common custom for men in the district to get drunk on methylated spirits. ''■■-_ Sergeant. Row ell deplored the fact j that an alleged reputable storekeeper lin To Kniti sold methylated spirits in 'large quantities to men known as alco- ! holic sTibjects. The practice considerably hampered the police effort to suppress the sly grog traffic. The Magistrate, Mr Bawson, agreed -with the sergeant's remarks, and said | that some men, for the sake of a few ' shillings, would do anything. They j had absolutely no regard for the welfare of. ethers. It was a deplorable 'state of affairs. Defendant was conS victed and given another chance, proMiiising not to drink, methylated snirits • again. Fred Jackson, who failed to appear. was convicted and fined £50. or three r months' imprisonment, for gi'og-selling.