Law Relating To Liquor And Minors Explained

Press, Volume CIII, Issue 30406, 3 April 1964, Page 16

Law Relating To Liquor And Minors Explained

Since the beginning of the year, 29 people under 21 years had been convicted in the Magistrate’s Court in Christchurch for having liquor in the vicinity of a dance hall, and a further 48 have been convicted for drinking liquor in a public place, said the chief superintendent of police (Mr G. C. Urquhart) yesterday. Mr Urquhart was commenting upon a letter to the editor of “The Press,” asking for a ruling on the position of teen-agers who attend cabarets. The correspondent, “One Who Is,” writes: “All serious-minded parent, should show concern at the article in your paper regarding the ease with which teenagers can obtain liquor. Can you give a ruling about minors attending cabarets? 1 feel many parents will be interested.”

Mr Urquhart says: “By the use of the word ‘cabaret’ I presume the writer is concerned by the consumption of liquor by teen-agers at dances or similar functions. “Section 265 of the Sale of Liquor Act, 1962, contains provisions relating to liquor at dances. It is an offence to drink liquor in a hall or to have possession or control of liquor in the hall or in the vicinity of any dance hall. On conviction any person is liable to a fine of £lO. “Section 219 of the Sale of Liquor Act does allow the consumption of liquor at social gatherings as long as all conditions of that section are complied with. Some of the conditions are that there must be more than 20 persons present; it must be a social gathering with no charge being made for liquor supplied other than a reasonable charge for admission; and only liquor supplied by the organisation may be consumed. If any conditions are breached, the provisions of section 265 above come into force. “Section 259 of the Sale of Liquor Act contains provisions relating to persons under the age of 21 years on licensed premises. Section 259 (5) states that a minor may legally purchase liquor on licensed premises for consumption by him as part of a meal of which he is partaking on the premises if the person is of or over the age of 18 years or is accompanied by his spouse (being an adult) or by his parent.”