PROHIBITIONISTS’GAROUSAL

Gisborne Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 3385, 28 November 1911, Page 3

PROHIBITIONISTS’GAROUSAL

AN EXPC: JRE. CHARGE OF HYPOCRISY PROVED. £3O FINE OR THREE MONTHS’ CAOL. The Prohibitionists are strong on Nolicense. They are determined to put down the “cursed” drink at all hazards. Nothing will save this Dominion, or any other Dominion or State, except the power of No-license and Prohibition enforced by the bayonet and the police. The Prohibitionists tell us that if all men and wenien were as they are, Nolicense advocates and total abstainers (?), no alcoholic beverages would bo used, but as the. subjoined eases show that amongst those who profess to be Prohibitionists personally and Nolicense advocates especially, there are at times those not averse on the quiet to a beer-drinking carousal with their friends; and the meanness of the whole business is that these Prohibitionists pretend to treat their friends and' charge them for the beer, and are themselves in turn caught, charged, convicted, and fined for sly grog-sell-ing. It is altogether a pretty picture of the methods of certain Prohibitionists and advocates of the No-license party. [Extracted from the “Evening News,” Nov. 2.]

The offence alleged against William Sydney Leonard, . 45, and Frederick Haddon, 31, was that they sold boor at a house in Shepherd (Street, Darlington, on October 30.

The facts wore that Sergeant Allen sent Constable Jones to the place where the defendants were, with certain instructions. Later on, Sub-Inspector Kelly and the sergeant approached the house, when 11 men ran out of a sidegate. Constable Jones was then inside. As soon as the sub-inspector and the sergeant got into the premises, Jones pointed out Leonard as one of the principals of the place. Leonard was taken into the kitchen, where Haddon was seen standing behind a table. A glass jug. containing beer, was on the table, as well as some glasses, a flask, and a corkscrew. Jones pointed to Haddon, and said, “This is the man who has been serving, and who lias also got the last shilling I paid him.” Haddbn was searched, and lie ro found to ho possessed of 21s, among which was a marked shilling, which the sergeant had previously paid to Jones. The two defendants were taken to a he use in Dean’s Place, where the ‘moinspector asked Leonard if a number of jars, some of which contained leer, weiv his property. He said that they were, and that, he had brought t!n_:n there the previous night. “You know,” said Leonard, by way of a further explanation. “I put up for Parliament. I am giving a party, and I got the beer for those that acted on my committee.” Both defendants were taken to the Red fern Police Station. (Sub-Inspector Kelly told the magistrate that Leonard had been a candidate for Parliament at the recent elections in the No-license interest. The magistrate (Mr Clark), smiling: AY hat, in the No-license interest?

Sub-Inspector: AMs vour AYorship. Ala gistrate (addressing Leonard): Aon are fined £3O, or three months’ gaol. Of course, I could fine you £.50; and I’m not sure that you don't deserve it. seeing that you were a candidate on the No-license ticket. I'll give you three months to pay, on your finding a surety. Haddon’s case was similar to Leonard's. He, too, was a Prohibitionist and a strong supporter of the Nolicense candidate Leonard, and iiic likewise was fined £3O, or one month’s imprisonment, The eleven men who. escaped were also supporters of the Nolicense candidate, and favored members of Leonard’s Prohibition party.***