LIQUOR AT PA

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 1, Issue 98, 8 December 1939, Page 5

LIQUOR AT PA

SIX PROSECUTIONS

OtfE CASE DISMISSED

The first charge brought under the recent legislation prohibiting the taking of liquor to dances was brought in the Magistrate's Court on Wednesday when Albert William Klatt was fined 20s on that count. Constable . Rice, of Taneatua. said that he went to the Kawarau Pa on the evening of November 25 and he found defendant with a bottle • of beer. Constable Fuller said lie pressing for a heavy penalty but an example had tr> be made under the recent legislation affecting liquor at dances. The Magistrate inflicted a nominal fine of 10s with 10s costs on that charge and for talcing liquor to a Maori Pa Ivlatt was fined £3 and costs £1 4s. • Other Defendants. Robert William Chisam, H. Thomas. Leith and T. G. Pickering were charged with similar offences ami ail Avere represented by Mr B. S. Barry, who said that as strangers to the country they did not know that they were committing an offence in taking liquor to a native pa. The fines in each case were £3 and £1 4s costs for taking liquor into a pa, and 10s with 10s costs for having drink at a dance where an admission was charged. Case Dismissed. Selwyn Bennett appeared on the same charges and pleaded not guilty He Avas represented by Mr G. Otley. Constable Rice stated that defendant had driven to the pa in 'a truck and when asked if he had liquor in his possession had replied in the negati\ r e. The constable asked defendant if he Avas prepared to let the police search his truck and Bennett agreed to this. A large bottle of beer had been found underneath the seat. Defendant had expressed amazement at the discovery.

Bennett, in evidence, said that he and a party had been to the pictures and afterwards had proceeded to the dance, arriving there at about 11.00 p.m. He did not know that the bottle of beer was under the seat of the truck.

The information against defendant was dismissed.