BURFORD.

PETTY SESSIONS.- Nov. 15.

Before E.R. Wingfield and P. Southby, Esqs.

selling drink during prohibited hours.

George Brunsden, Ezekial Matthews, and Edwin Leas, labourers of Holwell, were charged with being on licensed premises during prohibited hours on Sunday, 5th October.

Brunsden and Leas pleaded guilty and Matthews did not appear.

Inspector Morgan deposed: On Sunday, 5th October, about half-past eleven, a.m. I visited the "Rose and Crown", Upton, kept by Edwin Pratley. I found three men there, the two defendants were two of them and Ezekial Matthews was the other, there was a quart cup on the table partly filled with beer. They were in the taproom; they said they did not know they were doing wrong. Two of the men were sitting down and one was cracking nuts. The landlord came to me and wished me not to say anything about it. I told him I should not promise anything. The house ought to have been closed from half-past ten on Saturday night till half-past twelve on Sunday morning.

Fined 10s. including costs, and Matthews 15s.

breach of the licensing law.

Edwin Pratley, a landlord of the "Rose and Crown", Upton, was charged with keeping his house open for the sale of intoxicating drinks during prohibited hours, on the 5th October.

Defendant said he pleaded guilty with regard to the men being in the house, but at the time he did not know he was doing anything against the law.

Inspector Morgan deposed: I visited the "Rose and Crown" on the day in question about 11.30 a.m., I saw the defendants in the last case there. The landlord was near the door when I went in and the landlady was inside preparing dinner, I found some beer on the table in the bar.

The defendant said the men came to the door and asked for some beer which his wife served them with as he was not at home at the time. When he got in he went to them and cautioned them. They said they had come far enough to demand a drop of beer. They demanded some beer stating that they had come from Bradwell Grove. The men were quite strangers to her, and she did not know but what they were telling the truth. They had never been to the house before nor since.

Elizabeth Pratley deposed: I am the wife of defendant. I remember Sunday the 5th of October and the men being in the house. They came and called for beer about half-past eleven. The men were perfect strangers to me. They asked for beer, I said, "Well, I don't know about drawing it." They said they had come far enough to demand beer. I said "Where did you come from?" and they said from Bradwell Grove, I then drew a quart of ale for them. I was there when the Inspector came. My husband told them that the Inspector was coming along the road; they said they did not care as they had travelled quite far enough to demand beer.

The Chairman said it did not follow because a man travelled three miles he must be considered a traveller. Defendant would have to pay £1 and costs. If he came before the Bench again his license would be endorsed