PACKET LICENSES.

Auckland Star, Volume XL, Issue 51, 1 March 1909, Page 6

PACKET LICENSES.

ALLEGED ILLEGAL SALE OF LIQCJOB. The quarterly sitting of the S.M. Court at Waipu was held on February 18, Mr Dyer. S.M., presiding. A good deal of business was transacted. A charge was laid against the Northern S.S. Co. for a breach of the Licensing Act by allowing liquor to be sold on one of their steamers (s.s. Gael) w-hen moored at the Waipu wharf. Sergeant F. A. Moore, of Whangarei. conducted the case for the police, and Mr M. G. McGregor appeared for the defendant company. Constable Miller gave evidence to having found several persons about the s.s. Gael one Sunday night, some with liquor on them, which they said had been given them by the steward of the boat, as they had taken on board a couple of dressed fowls.

Several witnesses were called for the police.

For the company, evidence was given by Mr. C. Ranson (manager) and Me. Eoney (chief providore of the company) who said that the steward was acting contrary to the instruction under which he was engaged, it having been made perfectly clear to him when engaged (as is done to all men engaged as stewards by the company) that a breach of the packet license under which liquor is sold on the boat meant instant dismissal.

Mr McGregor, counsel for the defence raised the point that the case should not have been brought against the com pany as a breach of the license, but as a. case of sly-grog selling against the steward, maintaining that when the boat reached the wharf she ceased to be licensed premises, and that a breach of the license could only take place between the wharves.

His Worsnip said that he was inclined to .take this view of the matter, bat would reserve nis decision, which would be given in Auckland. However, he was quite satisfied that the police had proved tiae sale of the liquor.