AN HOTEL RAID.

Timaru Herald, Volume 170, Issue 170205, 30 April 1920, Page 2

AN HOTEL RAID.

SEVERAL BREACHES OF LlOiiANii'E. At the Magistrate's Court yesterday, James Ajaiigiisn, James Watson, Joila \\'. Caple, and dolin \\ alkei (Mr CampDeli) were charged with being in tiie liniaru Hotel aner hours. All pleadea not guilty. Seigeant D»an said that at 9.30 p.m. on Apnl 10th. he visited the Ximaru Hotel with. Constable Eraser. In the siltmg loom lie found the lour defendants named. Langrish. said he had come to get a bed, but had not seen the licensee. He had not. been given a bed.. Caple, who lived in. Church: Street, said he had come in with Langrish, and had had no liquor. James Watson, Latter Street, said he also came in with Langrish and Caple. - John "Walker, Arthur Street, said he; had not engaged a room. He was well under the" influence of liquor, and made no excuse for "being on the premises. The sitting room was marked ■private, and there was no liqiior in sight. Constable Eraser corroborated. James Langrish. fellmonger, Pareora, said his people were put of town on the date in question. He was an old friend of the licensee, and that was the reason he went to the Ti■inaru Hotel. Caple and Watson went with him to see if he could get a bed, the latter having promised to put him .Tip., if he could not get one. They were all old soldiers, having fought together in the front line. He went into the licensee's private room until the latter had time to come and fix them up. They were there when the sergeant came • hi.. Witness stayed at the hotel till the Mondav.

To Inspector Hastie: His father and' brother were at home on the night in question, but ]ie wanted cooked meals after av week in the country. John Walker said his home was at; Pleasant Point. He stayed at the hotel that night and paid for Lis bed.

James Watson, labourer, said he;| went with the others, as he conld have got a bed for Langrish if 'he had not: been, successful at tne hotel. ;' J. ~W. Caple, ■Clmrch"Street, said' he went with, the other three to see: it Langvishaud Walker,goe-beds. Wit-; uess left the ihotel when the licensee; said he could accommodate his friends.' The "Magistrate examined the hotel book, and remarked that there were: some alterations in the entries. J. J. O'JJricn, licensee, sam he did" not know the defendants were in -the'' hotel when the police' came. When :the officers left 'Langrish asked him lor a! bed. The alterations in the book, were cause.d through a mistake. The Magistrate said he had liis own impression a,s to why defendants went to the hotel. As Langrish and Walker had stayed the night iie would give them the benefit of the doubt. Ttiev would "be discharged, and 'Caple and Watson would be fined 20s and costs Daniel O'Boyle and Alexander U Boyle were similarly charged in respect of the same night. They were defended by Mr Campbell, and pleaded not guilty. Sergeant Dwan said he understood defendants were connected by marriage with Mrs O'Brien. After evidence .had been heard, the accused were both convicted and fined 20s aid .-. sts flhe same penalty was inflicted on Charles Hardcastle, who did not anpear. ' .

In the case of Albert Head (Mr Campbell), similarly charge, evidence was given that the defendant staved in the house, and the information. \vas dismissed. James Woodhouse, cfiarged with procuring liquor after hours, pleaded g r -V a A ul Ivas tned .£2 and costs. -ix • 9 Bno "- ai:r ( Cnlu ! ),,e11 ) Pleadeft sruiltv to scrying AVoodhouse with liquor. Mr Campbell stated that defendant had refused to serve AVoodiiousr. jiiut as the latter nersisted and was suuernig from an accident, he toolc pitv on him and served him The Magistrate said he could nob vr? n K ns "7 n °*™ s e- It was very difficult for t?.ie police to secure'convictinns in such eases, aaid he was "■raid that a great deal of the evid'-jmr-e g!ven that day was not partiou- '/'>' reliable. Defendant was fined i'! and costs.