MAGISTERIAL.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 6120, 5 March 1898, Page 7

MAGISTERIAL.

!S LEESTON. Friday, March 4. (Before Mr R. Beetham, S.M.) Alleged Breach op the Licensing Act.- — W. Spring, licensee of the Leeston Hotel, was charged Avith having, on Nov. 1, 1897, supplied one Patrick M'Grath with intoxicating liquor, M'Grath being under the influence of liquor at the time it was served. Mr Russell appeared for defendant. Evidence was given by W. G. Lunn, John M'Viimie, H. Ireland, P. M'Grath, Constable M'Cormack, and Miss M. Young. The evidence given by the witnesses utterly failed to substantiate the charge, and the Bench expressed the opinion that it was wasting time to proceed with tho case. Constable M'Cormack, however, requested that the case should be proceeded* with, as there were rumours afloat that the police were in collusion with the defendant in this case, with the object of shielding him as much as possible. Other evidence was then heard which went to show that M'Grath was only served with two drinks in the hotel on the date named— a pint of beer in the forenoon and a half-pint in the afternoon. Failing to get more drink by personal application, he sent a third person for a bottle of beer. In giving his decision, the Magistrate stated that if all the publichouses in New Zealaud were conducted with such unfailing regularity and respectability as was (according to the evidence adduced and also his personal knowledge) the Leeaton Hotel, there would be no handle for the prohibitionists to work, and, as far as the Licensing Act was concerned, both the police and Magistrate's Bench would find their occupation gone. The case was dismissed. Maintenance.— Alfred Roberts, who WaS Jr\ r - g F** ? ein S k with contributions towards his father's support S^d t0 Pay the am <>unt due, .£2l TEMUKA. "•''"AY, M&RCH 4. (Before "Sir i>. X. lnWooo.p 'WW,V- ;- --•'■:-■ ■ J.p.) • "*' ; Alleged Sii^KV-STEALiNo.^EiiMi^jgU on remand, was charged with stealW ftvmJ lambs, the property of R; 3 WCM^^f Arowhenua, Evidence having b^Srd accused was committed for trial atS Supreme Court at Timaru. Ba il ™£ aUojs^, |QCusei| jn jMr||4tw,p« tte «^