A MYTHICAL ROOM.

Auckland Star, Volume LVI, Issue 263, 6 November 1925, Page 5

A MYTHICAL ROOM.

BOARDERS AT HOTEL. THREE "IN ROOM NO. 4." LICENSEE AND BARMAN FINED £10. John P.. Molloy, licensee of the Market Hotel, and his brother, Charles Joseph Molloy, barman, were both before the Police Court this morning. The former was charged with selling liquor on Sunday, while the barman was charged with supplying liquor to a person not entitled to be supplied.

Senior Sergeant Edwards prosecuted, while Mr. R. McVeagh appeared in support of both defendants to plead guilty. Arthur Ewbank, William Ewbank and John Downing were each charged with falsely alleging that they were boarders at the Market Hotel.

Senior Sergeant Edwards said that the three men had been found in the Market Hotel by Sergeant Lambert on a recent Sunday, when all stated that they were boarders. They subsequently admitted that they did not reside at the hotel, and that their names "§ad been entered on the hotel book from August 3 to October 18.

Evidence to this effect was given ,by Sergeant Lambert, who said that a complaint was received by the police from one of the defendant's wives. When witness asked the barman to show him room No. 4, where each of the three defendants was supposed to be staying, Molloy was unable to do so, as there was no Toom No. 4 in the hotel.

Each defendant was then fined £3 and costs.

When the charges against the two Molloys -were being proceeded with, Mr. Hunt asked the licensee for his license. This was immediately handed to Mr. Hunt.

Senior Sergeant Edwards said that room No. 4 was only a mythical rqom, as no such room bearing that number existed in the hotel.

Sergeant Lambert said that when he visited the hotel he saw the barman, the brother, who made a statement. The licensee was not in at that time, but when he returned to the hotel witness showed him the statement which his brother had made. After reading it the licensee said: "All right, sergeant, you have got to do your duty; go on." Witness took this as an admission of the offence.

Mr. McVeagh said that the licensee was away at the time. The hotel book was produced, and no opposition was given the police. Defendant had been connected with the licensing trade for the past 19 years, the last five being as licensee of the Market Hotel. He had never before been in trouble, except in 1920, when he was held liable for an offence committed by his barman.

Mr. Hunt: Was that barman his brother, who is now charged?

Mr. McVeagh: I believe he was, sir.

Continuing, Mr. McA 7 eagh eaid that defendant had always conducted his house properly. However he must, as licensee, answer for the acts and misdeeds of his servants. Counsel said he uouid leave the matter in Mr. Hunt's hands.

Mr. Hunt: The barman will be fined £10 and costs. He's been up before. Now, here's a fictitious book put up, showing that three men are boarders living in a room which does not exist. The licensee has been in trouble before over the same barman. He will be fined £10 this time, and his license will be endorsed.