CHARGE OF PROCURING LIQUOR

Gisborne Times, Volume XXV, Issue 2122, 3 July 1907, Page 1

CHARGE OF PROCURING LIQUOR

- A middle-aged man appeared at. the Police Court yesterday morning, charged with being found on licensed premises, -and pleaded guilty. Mr. Geo. Lysnar appeared on his behalf to urgo extenuating circumstances. The order, he, said liad been' faithfully kept. His client admitted being on licensed premises, but.ho only went to the office to see Mr. Elliot at the Masonic Hotel. He went in by the side door and as he wont out he mot the constable. There was no intention of procuring liquor, although a technical breach of tlie law was committed*--Accused was a married man with a largo family, and ho asked for leniency. Sorgeant Williams stated that he understood that accused was under the influence of liquor, at the time of his arrest.

His Worship decided to hear the constable’s evidence.

Constable Hancox deposed that at 7.20 p.m. on the 26the Juno he saw defendant emerging out of the Lowe streot door of the Masonic Hotel; ho seemed under the influence of liquor. He said he had been to see Mr. Elliot, and that he did not go in for drink. All the liquor ho had procured that day was at his home. Ascertained that defendant had not been seen in the bar..

Mr. Lysnar stated that his client had rubbed some embrocation on his chest and the constable might have been mistaken.

His Worship: The constable has had. to much experience for that; he knows the difference between embrocation and beer. He would take into consideration that fact that the constable said that so far as he knew the order was observed. Defendant had no right whatever ,to go on .licensed premises. There was no reason to suppose that he went there for the purpose of obtaining liquor and he would not inflict a heavy penalty. The maximum was £5, but ho would inflict a fine of £1 with 7s costs, or in default 4 days imprisonment, and until Thursday mornin™ was allowed for payment.