BEER AT PARTY.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIV, Issue 85, 11 April 1933, Page 10

BEER AT PARTY.

BARMAN'S FAREWELL

NQ CHARGE FOR ADMISSION.

TWO DEFENDANTS FINED. (By Telegraph.—Own Correspondent.) WAIHI, this day. Reserved decisions involving interesting points of law raised under the Licensing Act were given t>y Mr. F. AV. Platts, S.M., this morning. The question whether it is within the law to accept monetary contributions for a social function at which intoxicating liquor purchased for the purpose is consumed was involved in charges of selling liquor without a license which were brought against Gordon Menzies, of Auckland, barman, and Eric Kowe, of Waihi, miner. A committee of young men organised a social as a farewell to Menzies, who was leaving the town. A hall was engaged by Rowe and contributions to defray expenses were taken at the door, but 110 fixed charge was made. Menzies purchased 15 gallons of beer at the request of the committee.

The magistrate said the case came within the ruling given in the case Erickson versus Cattanacli, an appeal from a magistrate's decision in which the members of a football club purchased liquor to be consumed at a concert, the charge for admission being five shillings'. The position in the present case was wry similar. The evidence showed that Menzies suggested the gathering and took a leading part. The case was the first of the kind locally. The defendants were convicted and each fined 30/ with costs.

The magistrate said he believed the statement by accused to the effect that they had no idea of doing anything illegal.