RESIDENT MAGISTRATE'S COURT.

Westport Times, Volume II, Issue 273, 16 June 1868, Page 2

RESIDENT MAGISTRATE'S COURT.

Monday, June 15, (Before J. Giles, Esq., R.M., and J. R. Dutton, Esq.) laeceny. A. Wise was charged with stealing money from the person of a man who did not appear, and the case was adjourned to compel prosecutor's attendance. BBEACH OF LICENSING ACT. H. Fry was charged with having allowed riotous conduct in his house, the Volunteer Hotel. Sergeant Frariklyn said he would also ask for the license to be suspended, as the house was one of the most disorderly in the town, and gave the police more trouble than all the houses put together. Sergeant Williams was called to give evidence as to the general character of the house. He stated that on Friday last a great disturbance was going on in the house, after 11 o'clock. The house generally was very dis- ■ orderly. In reply to the Bench, the witness said on Friday night the only person making a disturbance was Mrs Fry. Constables Pringle and Drury gave similar evidence, though from the evidence of the latter it appeared that defendant was innocent of the disturbance on Friday, his wife being the sole cause of it. Mr Downe, elerk of the Court, proved that on December 13, defendant was fined £3 and costs; on the 2nd of March, £4 and costs, and on the 15th May the same amount. All these fines were inflicted for breaches of the Licensing Ordinance, Defendant said that he had nothing to do with the disturbance. There was more noise in other houses, but it was looked over. All the reason was that he was selling beer at sixpence a pint, and there was a down on him for that on the part of the other publicans. The Bench said that on looking at the Act, there was no medium between dismissing the case and cancelling the license. Had there been, it might have been a matter for merciful consideration, however little he deserved it. As it was, there was no alternative, and taking all the evidence into consideration, they had no hesitation in recommending the Superintendent to cancel the license. Inspector Franklyn asked if his Worship directed the police to close the house, pending the reply to the recommendation. The Magistrate did not think he had power to do that. Civil Cases. P. Smythe and Co. v. Leathern.— Verdict by default for £26 19s. 7d., with immediate execution.