“SLY GROG” CHARGE.

Waikato Times, Volume 118, Issue 19661, 22 August 1935, Page 8

“SLY GROG” CHARGE.

FIVE MONTHS’ IMPRISONMENT. Charges of keeping and selling liquor in a proclaimed area were preferred against William James Blackman (Mr N- S. Johnson). Mr H. T. Gillies led the prosecution, and stated that the circumstances were similar to the previous case. Constable G- Phillips, of Christchurch, stated that on May 6, at 5 p.m., he walked into accused’s shop and ’asked for a beer. Accused took him to the back of the shop, and witness paid Is 6d for a pint bottle of beer and drank it. There were three men in the room at the time. Three glasses of beer and three bottles of beer were on the mantelpiece. On May 8 witness, after being searched by Constable McLennan, went into Blackman’s shop and came out with a small bottle of beer, which he gave to Constable McLennan. Cross-examined by Mr Johnson, witness said that he visited nine alleged sly grog-shops in Taumarunui but only procured beer from five of ’ the shops. Blackman owned a well-equipped sweet shop. Searching of Constable. Constable G. .R. McLennan, stated that on May 8, he searched Constable Phillips before lie went to accused’s shop and he. had no liquor on him. When he returned he had one pint bottle of beer on him. Cross-examined by Mr Johnson, witness said that a raid was carried out on June 3 at 5 p.m., but only one small bottle of beer was found. Blackman was away in Auckland at the time. The accused, William James Blackman, stated that his confectionary business was doing very well and he had not sold liquor for some time. Artar counsel had addressed the jury and His Honour had reviewed tiie evidence the jury retired at 11.55 a.m. They returned at 12.40 p.m. with a veVditt of guilty on both counts. Accused, who had several other convicilions dating back to 1025 and who besides being fined a iotal of £175, hail been sentenced to three months’ imprisonment in 1932 and four months in 1934 was sentenced lo live months' imprisonment, Hie warrant to lie suspended for 14 days on his own recognisance of £IOO. This was asked for by Mr Johnson lo enable Blackman io arrange for the management of his business.