“SLY GROG” SELLING.

Waikato Times, Volume 118, Issue 19662, 23 August 1935, Page 2

“SLY GROG” SELLING.

FIVE MONTHS’ GAOL. The hearing of the charge against William James Blackman (Mr N. S. Johnson), of keeping and selling liquor in a proclaimed area was -continued In the Supreme Court yesterday. Mr Justice Callan presided on the Bench. Air H. T. Gillies led tho prosecution. Constable G. R. McLennan, stated that on May 8, ho searched Constable Phillips before he went to accused’s shop and ho had no liquor on him. When lie returned he had one pint bottle of beer on him. Cross-examined by Air 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 Hie time. The accused, William James Blackman, slated that his confectionary business was doing very well and he had not sold liquor for some time. Alter counsel had addressed the jury and llis Honour had reviewed the evidence llie jury retired at 11.55 a.m. They returned at 12.40 p.m. with a verdict of guilty on both counts. Accused, who had several other eouvicitlons dating hack to 1025 and who besides being lined a total of £175, had been sentenced to three months’ imprisonment in 1032 and four months in 1034 was sentenced to live months' iinprisonmenl, the warrant to be suspended for 14 days on iiis own recognisance of £IOO. This was asked for by Mr Johnson to enable Blackman to arrange for the management of Jiis business.