PETERSFIELD.
PETTY SESSIONS, Tuesday.— Present : Hon. J. J. Carnegie and the Right Hon. Sir W. G. H. Jolliffe, Bart., M.P.
Highway rates were signed for the parishes of Hawkley and Sheet, and a poor rate for the parish of Colemore.
KEEPING A HOUSE OPEN AT IMPROPER HOURS,—James Wire was charged, on the information of P.C. Charles Stone, with keeping his house open for the sale of beer between the hours of three and five in the afternoon of Good Friday last. Stone deposed that oN the above day, about 25 minutes before four, he visited the Railway Tavern public-house at Liphook, kept by defendant, and found it open. He went into the tap room and saw two lads sitting bv the fire. One was smoking. There was a mag on the table, with a small quantity of beer in it. He spoke to defendant, who said he must take the consequences. Defendant explained the matter to the magistrates, by stating that the boys came in about half past two, having just finished their work for the day, and asked him for a pint of beer, with which he supplied them, that he then went out into the field, where a game of cricket was being played, supposing the boys would drink their beer and leave. On returning to the house he found them still there, and met Stone, who charged him with having his house open, and said he should report him. He (defendant) admitted that the doors were open, but denied that anv beer had been drawn between the hours of three and five. He further pleaded that no charge had ever been brought against him before, and that he would take care that nothing of the sort should occur again. Fined 5s. Costs 8s.