THE SUNDAY TRADING CASES.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 5283, 14 June 1895, Page 3

THE SUNDAY TRADING CASES.

I PROCEEDIN9S AT I ; THE MAGISTRATE'S COURT. } THIS DAT. ' At the Cbristchurch Magistrate's Court to-day, before Mr H. W. Bishop, S.M., informations were called on against Edward Eavenhil), licensee of the Caveraham Hotel; Annie Hall, Eastern; and John Neillj White Hart, charging them with having unlawfully gold intoxicating liquor to persons not boarder.? or travellers on Sunday, May 5 ; also ngainst Carl Schultheie, White Swan; Thomas B. Gaffney (two informations), New Zealunder j John Moir Walker. Zetland Arms; Thomas Popbam, Coket's ; James Had field, Royal; John Fox, Prince of Wales ; Patriot Burke, Burkes Family, and Jane Qonway, T»ttersall'e, for selling liquor on Sunday, May J. 2.

The Court was crowded. The case against Edward Ravehh ill was . taken first. Mr Caygill appeared for the prosecutor and Mr Fiaher' for the defendant, who denied the charge. Mr Fisher asked that all witnesses in the case should be ordered out of Court. Mr Caygill Raid he intended to call the Rev F. W. Isitt and E. P. Gill, and he would give evidence himself. Mr Fisher objected to Mr Caygill stay, ing in Court if he intended to give cvi-

i dence. Mr Caygill said he only intended to give technical .evidence. He was in no way connected with the facts of the case. Mr Bishop expressed the opinion that it was a most improper thing for a solicitor ' engaged in a case to give evidence. Mr Caygill said he would give evidence before conducting the case. He deposed that the bottle produced was handed to. him on May 13. It had been in his possession ever since.

To Mr Fjsher: The bottle was handed to witness in his office by the Rev Frank Isitt. Brace. Gill, Boyer and M'Donald were with Mr Isitt. He thought Percy Wake was also there. The. witneßS declined to answer several questions which the Magistrate held to be privileged.' Witness did not know whose handwriting waß on the bottle.

Mr Caygill called George James Bruce, the prosecutor, who deposed that he was a journalist residing; in Christchurch. On Sunday, May 5, he went to the Caversham Hotel at five minutes to nice in the evening. He went into the hotel by the Sfc Asaph Street entrance. Mr Gill and witness went into the hotel. They Baw two men in the passage. Ho said to one of the men, who he took to be Mr Ravenhill, "la tbere'any chance of a drink?" He replied. "Yes; yes ;?' and showed witness and JMr Gill into a room. Ac noon as they ?ot into the room _ the man' asked witness what he was going to have. Witness replied, "Whisky} just a little drop." rhe man poured some whisky into two jlassee, and witness said he would have ioin4 water in bis. Witness then gave

him a shilling. While the man waß but of the room, witness poured one of' the glasses of whisky into the ' bottle produced. After saying a. few words, they proceeded to leave the- hotel. Oa going through the passage witness said to the man, " I paid yon for that, didn't I." He replied, ''Tea, yes," and said pood night. Witness and Gill then left the hotel. The bottje was; taken to Mr IsittV house. Witness saw the bottle again on Sunday, May 1 12; at M^.laitt'B hbase. On May 13J witness saw itiat Mr CaygiH'a office. ;T|o MrFieher: Before going to Ravenhill's he went, to church. Did not recollect rseeing Mr • laitt on- S unday evening, May 5. The 1 same evepinjr witness went to the Eastern. Hotel and purchased some liquor there. Mr. -Gill was 1 with witness. It wpa.ten o'clock when ,they went to the EasteFii^ ;;;^fter.ieayiDpr' the Eastern they wen? jtjajbne. Qfteen'B.*' ,'. Withesa and Boyer, Gill and M'iDon'ald all left church together. He did not remember who proposed that Bavenhill's hotel should be visited first. Witness and Gill went to Kavenhill'B for the purpose of getting drink. Witness, attended; a; prayer meeting before going to Raven bill's. Mjr Piaher : Was there any meeting in the church to decide who should visit the hotels? ■■ . ■ ;■ ; ' .•V;. : ''''V"WdtneßS : Am t'lo answer that question ? Mr Bishop held that the question was, not relevant. Witness continued : Met Boyer and M'Dbhald when lie went to :Mr ] Isitt's house. They produced a bottle, and witness and Gill produced one. After leaving Mr Isitb's house witneaß, Boyer, Gill and M' Donald all left for the Eastern. They' subsequently visited the Queen's, and then went home. Oa May 12 witness went to the White Swan, and Coker's and aaked for liquor at each place. .Gill, M'Donald and Boyer were also with witness. After getting some liquor they went to Mr Isitt'B house. When they went into Bavenhill's Hotel, on May 5, Bavenhill did not ask them if they - were travellers. Witness slept at his home in Durham Street on the . evening

oJ, May 4. They knew that they were not travellers or lodgerß when they went to Bavenhill's. Witness knew that if they had represented themselves to he travellers they would have been committing a breach of the law. The money which witness paid to the man at Eavenhill'6 was his (witness's) property. To Mr Caygill : Witness tasted the liquor he got at -Bay entail's, and knew it was whiskey. Edmund Peter Gill deposed that he lived at St Albans. On Sunday, May 6, he went to Eavenhill's Hotel in company with Brace. They walked into the hotel through the door leading from St Aaaph Street. They asked the man who was in the room for some whiskey. They were shown into a room, and supplied with some whiskey. Bruce paid for it and put it into a bottle. They did not drink any. Witness afterwards gaw the bottle at Mv Isitt's house ; Bruce handed it to Mr Isitt. Next saw the bottle on the following Sunday. Did nob recollect -seeing it on Monday ; saw the bottle at Mr Oaygill's office. The whiskey they obtained at Eavenhill'B was put . into the bottle produced. To Mr Fisher : Witness put the writing on the bottle. Witness, Boyer, Bruce and M'Donald were in Mr Isitt's house on May 5, Wake was not there. Either M'Donald or Boyer purchased liquor at the White Hart. Witness could nob say who BUggested that they should go to Mr Isitt's house; he went to . Eavenhill's hotel of his own free will. On May 12 they visited several houses. The Prince of Wales', Burkes and Zetland Arms were among the houses visited. After leaving Mr laitt'a house, on the evening of May 12, they went to the New Zealander Hotel and got liquor. Went to the Central Hotel that evening ; they did not get any liquor there. They were not asked if they were travellers when they went toßavenhill's. Boyer, Wake and M'Donald went to Tatfcersall's on May 5. Frank Whitmore Isitt deposed that he was a minister. The bottle produced was brought to his house by four young men on May 5. It remained in witness's house till May 13, when it was taken to Mr Caygill's office. To Mr Fisher: Witness knew nothing of the movements of the young men till they come to his house on May 5. Bruce and Boyer each gave witness a bottle. They told witness what they intended to do on the following Sunday night. Witness told them that he would be glad if they could catch the Central Hotel, as he considered it to be the worst house in Christchurch. Henry Edward Boardman, after tasting the contents of the bottle produced, deposed that it contained whisky. This wbb the case for the prosecution. Mr Fisher said the defence was simply that the liquor was supplied to the young men on the strength of their representations that they were travellers. Edward Ravenhill deposed that between eight and nine o'clock on the evening of May 5, two young men came to his hotel and asked for. a drink. Witness asked thnm if they weie travellers and they said "Yes." Witness then said "are you bond fde travellers/ and they said " Yes.' 1

Witness then asked them to step inside They BSK«d for some whiskey and witness supplied them with two small glasßes. Witness would not have supplied them with Honor if they nad not said they were travellers. Two men named Daniels and Smith were in the hotel when the young men came in.

Walter Daniels deposed that he had tea with the defendant on Sunday evening. May 5. He recollected Gill and another young man coming into the hotel that evening. Defendant asked them if they were bondfide travellers, and ote of them

replied that tney were. To Mr Caygill : The passage was lighted up at the time. Witness was speaking to the defendant when the young men came in ; a man named Smith was talking to witness and defendant when the young men arrived. The time would be between a quarter to nine and nine o'clock. John Smith deposed that he was in defendant's hotel on Sunday, May 5. He saw two young men come into the hotel in the evening. They told defendant that they were travellers.

To Mr Caygill : Witness waa in the passage when the young men aame in. Defendant was the only otbnr person in the passage. Wi'neFS bad not b^en talking to any person except Mr Bavenhill before the young men came in. They first asked if they could get a drink, and defendant then asked them if they were travellers. They said "Tes," and were asked to Btep into t,ha inHr.

To Mr Fisher: Daniels was sitting in the dining-room when the young men came in. ' At this stage the Court adjourned foi an hour. Upon resuming at two o'clock, Mr Fisher called Henry Webster, who deposed that he lived at Belfast. He was in the diningroom at the Caversham Hotel on Sunday evening, May 5. H« recollected eeaing two young men come into tho hotel about nine o'clock. He recognised the prosecutor Bruce as one of tbe men. Defendant asked them if they were travellers, and they replied " Yes.'*

To Mr Cayeill : The defendant spoke firßb, and said something to the effect that " all's cloeed up, gentlemen." The young men then asked if they could have. a drink. The defendant *b«»n said, "Ar« you travellers and bond fide travellers P " The young men eaid : " Yea." Two or three other persons were in the diniog-room. Witness told defendant that he intpnded to give evidence. Had seen defendant. Smith and Daniels Bince the Court adjourned. They had a glass of b<?er together, but nothing: was said, about the case. They were together abont half an ! Hour, talking-' about various matters. i Mr Fisher said he would not call any any more evidence. He submitted that under Seofcion 129* of the Lioensing Act the defendant was bound to supply ' travellers. I Mr Bishop said' he- would reserve his ' decision. ! Th« case against John Neill, licensee of • th« White Hart ffotel,. was then taken. ? Mr Cav^ill appeared' for the informant, ! and. Mr EiDDenberesr for tU»>dafAnrtant.

Witnesses; in the' case were 1 ordered out of Court. Mr Bishop aai-3 ifc would be better if all the names of the witnesses were handed to the Court. Mr Kippanherger eaid he was peculiarly placed. He did not know who he intended calling. As far as be knew none of his witnesses were in Court. ' ' Mr Caygill handed in the names of the witnesses he intended calling. He then related the evidence he. gave in the previous cae?. - c ;, Edmund Peter Gill deposed that, on the eveuinj? of May 5, h<* Went to the White Hart Hotel in company .with Boyer and M'Donaid. . They went in by the side door and saw a man in the bar.. . Gill asked for some whiskey, and- the barman supplied him. /Witness got some whiskey and put it into a bottle, and then gave it to M.Donald. Saw the bottle at Mr Isitt's house the same evening. The whiskey was taken . out of the bottle ! and put into the one produced. The bottle ! was left at Mr Isitt's. He saw it at Mr Isitt's on the following Sunday evening, j and subsequently at Mr Caygill's office on J Monday, May 13. j •To Mr Kippenberger : It was about 9.10 j o.mi when they ' went ihtb the White i Wah/ ';":/■■' '■:.;■■-; ■/;' ■' : : ■ ;' : \ Mr Kippenberger : Did you go to church withthe bottle in your pocket ? :,Ara I to answer that question, your; Worship^ ' Mr Bishop : T do not think I shall press the witness to answer the question. ' Mr Kippenberger) to witness): Then yon decline to answer the question, because of the charge of conspiracy against you. Witness: I decline to answer the question. Witness continued: He got the Dottle from a person who was mixed up in ! the case. Thebar was open when they went into the hotel. Witness wbb the leader. He orderedtbree whiskies from the barman and paid for them. A.t some of the hotels they were' aaked if they were travellers. At' one hotel witness said "We are travellers ! off the street." This was said in a iocular !

way, and the person who asked the question laughed. When they went to the Central Hotel they were very excited, and made a mistake in Baying that they were travel* lers. They did not proceed any further with the case against the Central. They did not represent that they were travellers at any other hotel. William George M'Donald deposed that he was a student at Canterbury College. He lived in Melrose Street, Christchnrch. On Sunday, May 5, he went to the White Hart Hotel with Gill and Boyer. The barman waa behind the bar. Gill asked for three drinks of whiskey. After they were supplied with the whiskey, the barman went away, and Gill put his whiskey into a bottle; witness poured hi? on the floor. Just before witness poured his whiskey on the floor Boyer started laughing, and being a prohibitionist, did ' not know what to do with his whiskey. The whiskey Gill put into a bottle was taken to Mr IsiU's house. ' : To Mr Kippenberger : They were not asked any questions when they went to the White Hart. They did not represent that they were travellers. On April 21 witness and three others went to the Central Hotel, and one of witness's companions represented that they were travellers. On that occasion a number of men were in the bar. Witneßß beard them moving about inside. He declined to say whether he represented that he was a traveller when he went to the Central. They did not call at any other hotels on April 21. A fortnight elapsed before they went to any other hotels. On May 5 witness stopped at the prayer meeting at the Durham Street Wesleyan Church. Witness had a bottle in his pocket.. After , the prayer ; meeting witness and Boyer went to the Central Hotel. They got I inside, but did not get any liquor. . (Left sitting.) !

WOOLBTON WebLETAN CHURCH.—The anniversary services in connection with the Woolaton Wealeyan Church -were held, in the Oddfellows' Hall, -Woolaton, oa Sunday last, and were well attended. Mr E. Armstrong preached in the morning, and the Eev W. J. Elliott in the afternoon and evening. Special anthems were sung by the choir, and an orchestra tinder the leadership of Mr J. Spimalay played several selections. The annual soiree was held in the hall last evening, and was attended by over three hundred people. About twenty ladies presided over the tables. At the public meeting held afterwards Mr B. Dawson occupied the chair. The Eev W< J. Elliott read the annual report, which referred to the work of the church during the past twelve months. ■■ The attendance at the services had considerably increased and the church was not large enough to accommodate the congregation at the Sunday evening service. Good work had been done by the various societies connected with the church. The balancesheet showed a credit balance o£ £5. Addreaßeß were delivered by the Eeva H. K. Dewsbury and W. Scorgie, Mr J. T. Smith and the Chairman. The Jwater of the whole ocean, it is estimated contains in solution over 2,000,000 tons of pure silver.