FIRST CASE-BARMAID PAYS.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1114, 29 April 1911, Page 5

FIRST CASE-BARMAID PAYS.

MINOR OBTAINS LIQUOR. The new law about supplying liquor to "boys" under 21 years of age was applied for the first time yesterday, when Mamie Moynihan, a barmaid employed at the Metropolitan Hotel, was charged with-having, on April 6 last, being a person other than the licensee, supplied whisky'to ono Galvin.. a person under the age of 21 years, he not being a resident, or a bona fide guest or lodger. Sergeant Kelly gave evidence, and deposed that the-defendant had admitted serving ,tli9 youth, but had not asked him his age. She had known the youth for the past three years in Wellington 'and Palmerston North, and had previously served him with liquor. Mr. M'Grath, who appeared-for the defendant, suggested that the youth might have looked older, as ho was wearing glasses and an overcoat.

, Galvin also gave evidence, and stated that ho had ordered and paid for the liquor. '

. Counsel urged:that the defendant had really taken the youth as being over the age of 21 years, especially in view of the fact that she had known, him, and supplied him with liquor three years ago. A conviction would be a very great hardship to his client, who had frankly admitted serving the youth.

His Worship was not prepared to dismiss the information. Tho onus was upon licensees and their assistants, and they had to bo careful. Inquiries must be_ made in-all cases when any doubt existed as'to the age of customers. "In my opinion," said his Worship. "I would bo very doubtful whether this youth was 21 years of age." Defendant was fined 10s., with costs Ds.