LOCAL SLY GROG-SELLERS.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume XVI, Issue 933, 23 January 1908, Page 20

LOCAL SLY GROG-SELLERS.

Last week in the Police Court, the partly heard charges against John Sheehan and Bert Duncan were concluded. Mr Hackett appeared for both accused. With regard to Sheehan, Constable Clark deposed to having secured a Dot le of whisky for 12s. The defendant, 10wever, said that the whisky had been for private use, but, meeting some men who said they were from the King Country and “ dying for a drink,” he yielded to the temptation of 300 per cent, on his bargain, and disposed of the whisky. With regard to the case against Dll- - the evidence for the prosecution hi d already been taken. The defendant admitted receiving is for the liquor from Constab'e Clark and his companion on Saturday night. On the following day witness “ shouted ’ for the two men, but denied absolutely that he had received any money, as had been stated by the witnesses for the prosecution. Mr Hackett, in reply to Mr Dyer, said that the witnesses which he had intended to call, and for which purpose the adjournment was granted, were not avai’able, one being in the hospital and the other at sea.

In dealing with Duncan, Mr Dyer remarked on the conflict of testimony, and added that he considered the defendant’s story improbable. The Magistrate said he did not be’ieve the defendant supplied liquor to utter strangers for nothing. Duncan was sentenced to one month in gaol on the first charge, and three months on the second, the sentences to be concurrent. On his asking for the third charge to be treated indictable, the prosecution withdrew it.

Mr Dyer said Sheehan practically admitted that there was a sale, and he (the Magistrate) did not be’ieve the story. Sentence of one month’s imprisonment—the maximum—was imposed.