LIQUOR AND SMOKE CONCERTS

Dominion, Volume 21, Issue 189, 12 May 1928, Page 13

LIQUOR AND SMOKE CONCERTS

TEAROOM PROPRIETRESS FINED

A WARNING TO OTHERS

Joan Tate pleaded guilty in the Magistrate’s Court yesterday to allowing liquor to be consumed in her restaurant at a time when licensed premises were required to be closed. , Sub-Inspector Lauder stated that "defendant, who was the proprietress of ‘•The Barn” tearooms in Lambton Quay, had rented the room to a certain Scotch, society to hold a smoke concert. At that concert liquor had been consumed. It seemed that defendant had been ignorant of the law. 'Mr. H. F. Johnston, who represented defendant, asked that a nominal penalty only be imposed. lie understood that the police wished to make it known that it was an offence for liquor to <be consumed at smoke concerts held in restaurants after a time when licensed premises were closed. 'There was no doubt that the defendant was ignorant on that point, as many others were. The Magistrate (Mr.' E., Page, .SAL) .said*he thought a nominal penalty would meet the case.' -It was not generally known that it was an offence to consume liquor in restaurants at smoke concerts, as it was very seldom prosecutions were brought. Defendant *was fined £1 and costs.