THE PUBLIC HOUSE ACT.

Press, Volume XVIII, Issue 2491, 25 April 1871, Page 3

THE PUBLIC HOUSE ACT.

TO THE EDITOR OF THE PRESS. Sir, —As the subject of informing on publicans has beeu brought rather promiucntly before the public by a case recently tried before the Resident Magistrate, and my attention being further directed to the point raised before the Bench of Magistrates at Richmond, Victoria, and published in your valuable paper, I find that the Bench of Magistrates here has the same power conferred iipon it by the sth section of the 11 and 12 Victoria, cap. 45, which euacts— " And be it enacted that every person who shall aid abet counsel or procure the commission of any offence which is or hereafter shall be punishable on summary couviction shall be liable to be proceeded against and convicted for tho same either together with the principal offender or before or after his conviction and shall be liable on conviction to the same forfeiture and punishment as such principal offender is or shall be by law liable and may be proceeded against and convicted either in the county riding division liberty city borough or place where such principal offender may be convicted or in that in which such offence of aiding abetting counselliug or procuring may have been committed." This Act, I believe, was brought into force in New Zealand by the Justices of the Peace Act, 1858, passed by the General Assembly of New Zealand. It therefore seems perfectly clear to mc that our Resident Magistrate has the power of inflicting a fine on every person procuring, aidiug. or abetting a breach of the Public-House Ordinance. I am, Sir, yours obediently, Lex.