THE LICENSING ACT.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 10232, 15 August 1911, Page 2

THE LICENSING ACT.

LIQUORITES IN DIFFICULTY. At the Magistrate's Court this morning, before Mr H. W. Bishop, S.M., tliree incn, whose thirst had apparently exceeded their prudence, appeared on charges of having procured liquor during tne currency or prohibition orders against themselves. Michael Murphy, an old offender, appeared and pleaded guilty to the tinrd breach of au order against himself.

Mr Hunter appeared for the accused.

The Magistrate said that he considered it was time that the accused shou.d be "sent up." Mr Hunter pointed out that the accused had not been charged with drunkenness on that occasion, but with procuring liquor during the currency of the order.

The Magistrate remarked that that made no difference whatever to the case.

Mr Hunter, continuing, said that the accused was an old man sixty-eight years of age, and had to go into the hospital shortly for an operation. The Magistrate said that he could not allow such people as the accuseu to break orders time and again. There was no doubt that his pension wouki be cancelled and that was. the only reason that he could see that could justify him giving tho accused anotliei chance. He would give him one Inst chanco to reform, and if he did not do so he would be put away for some time as sure as he stood there. He would be fined 20s and costs, 9s, in default one month's imprisonment. George Coppin pleaded guilty to the first breach of the order against himself. He said that he had been working for some months on the hills and had come to town recently and had taken drink under temnt-ation. •

The Magistrate said that it was no use for a man with a bad record such as the accused had to come before him and ask for leniency. He would fine the accused 10s and costs, in default forty-eight hcurs' imprisonment. Itobcrl Goodman IV';or (Mr Salter) pleaded rn-ilty to the brc-ach of an order against himself. Mr Salter said that tho accused had only given way under great temptation. His wife had been ill and had died on the right that he committed the offence. That had been his excuse f or his actions. Tho Magistrate said that- thorp wa r nossibly some excuse for the accused under the circumstances. Me was .convicted and discharged, and was ordered to rav expenses, of the c-svo