USE OF HOTEL FACILITIES

Press, Volume XCIII, Issue 27896, 18 February 1956, Page 10

USE OF HOTEL FACILITIES

LIQUOR SALESMAN QUESTIONED Mr Eric George Walker, a representative of a wholesale wine and spirit merchant, Malings, Ltd., said yesterday to the Licensing Control Commission that he had insisted on the amenities of the Waitaki Hotel, Kurow. being made available to him because the law would not allow him to sleep in a motor-car. “It’s illegal to sleep in a motorcar.” he said. The chairman of the commission; In your own car? “I understand so,” replied Mr Walker. “That will be disappointing for some people,” commented Mr H. R. C. Wild. Mr Wild asked Mr Walker whether he felt that he was entitled to demand accommodation at the hotel so as to compete with the hotel’s bottle store. Mr Walker replied that he considered he was entitled to meals and a bed as a commercial traveller. Only 17 per cent of his business was in liquor sales, and this applied to his sales in the Kurow district. Mr Walker denied that he hr I used the telephone in the hotel to make any sales, and said he had not conducted any business in the hotel lounge. Cross-examined by Mr W. E. Leicester. Mr Walker said that if a man used the facilities of the hotel, the . lounge, for example, to discuss sales of liquor, or the hotel’s telephone for the same purpose, the hotelkeeper would be justified in refusing him accommodation. “There was no conduct like that on my part.” Mr Walker said. . Mr Walker said that he Spent much of the time in bed when he was staying at the Waitaki Hotel. ’ “I spent eight hours. 11 hours, and sometimes 12 hours in bed.” he said. The chairman asked Mr Walker whether he felt he was not a welcome guest at the hotel. “Yes, sir.” Mr Walker said.