RESIDENT MAGISTRATE'S COURT

Inangahua Times, Volume II, Issue II, 1 July 1881, Page 2

RESIDENT MAGISTRATE'S COURT

♦ Thubsday, 30th June, 1881. (Before W. H. Eevell, Esq , li.M.) Cbiminal Case. Police v. Waite. This was* an information for keeping a disorderly house, contrary to tbe Licensing Regulations. The police called the following evidence :— Frank Bel! ; lam a shoreman residing at Boatman's in the employ of Mr Archer. I have been in Waite's house frequently ; I was there on the 13th. Between 6 and 7 p.m. on that day on going to the place

I found the bar and kitchen locked. We could get no diinks as Mr Waite refused admittance. Cross*examined by Waite : I do not know the reason of the bar being locked up. Mrs Waite was in the b ; g parlor. TCo riotous conduct was going on ; I did not see Waile at the time there ; he was said to be in the bar. Annie Young : I reside at the Junction about 2 chains from Waite's house. A rpw commenced at Waite's house at 2 o'clock on Sunday morning ; Waite tried to put Kennedy out. All day on Monday, Waite wa? abusing his wife. I could hear the dist£pb#nce from m place. He was drunF all the time. On Tuesday, I heard the defendant put his wife out of the house calling her bad names, and telling her she should not put her foot in the house again. Mrs Waite sent her servant for pinchers to open the door. She afterwards sent for some keys ; I sent her all I had, and I believe she succeedecLin getting in. Cross-examined by Waite* I genObr. no ru.ni frjjpi, yojir pjace^Mrs Martin brought some,* but not on my behalf. Tommy the Whale brought a bottle, I had a glass out of that ; I was not the worse for drink during thi* time. Mrs Waite never spoke to me ; I did not help to drink the grog that was brought on Monday. By the Police : The last time I saw Waite during the row, was standing on the road with a bottle of brandy in his hand. He was drunk at the time. Mindermann did not lay this information •—I did so, I don't remember ever having said that I would never die happy until I got your license taken away. James O'Brien : lam a constable stas Honed at Besfton ; I went down to Waite's place on the 24th ; I was sent to serve him with a summons in the case ; I saw his licence for an accommodation house, which he holds. This closed the case for the prosecu* tion. ' . ■ The defendant called the following evi* dence :— Thomas Hobby : I am a miner, and recollect the time myself, Newton and others, weie down at your place. As far as I could see you was sober ; I was at the place on Saturday, Sunday, also on Monday and Tuesday. No fighting nor riotous conduct was going on. We were drinking a little, and talking about gold ; I got two bottles of brandy on Tuesday to take home, but as Waite would not serve any more drink, the men outside got one bottle, of which I had knocked the head off. The other bottle went to ■Min 1 i ill Tfr~.;W£Jfc™ »» » 'rV'tfjg.. elevated, but no disturbance took place. You. refused to serve two men with drink, and locked the door ; I will swear that Mrs Waite was not turned out of the house, while I was there ; I have known you 18 years, and never saw or heard you abusive your wife. This closed the case. The Bench held that the house had been kept in a disorderly manner on the occasion complained of, and the defendant was fined £1 and costs, with a caution to keep the house in better order for the future.