LICENSING LAWS

Dominion, Volume 24, Issue 18, 16 October 1930, Page 6

LICENSING LAWS

Breaches at Petone TWO FINES IMPOSED Several cases of breaches of the licensing laws came before Mr. T. B. McNeil, S.M., in the Magistrate’s Court at Petone yesterday. James Peter Murning Mr. J. J. McGrath), licensee of the Empire Hotel, Petone, was charged with selling liquor after hours, and with keeping open for the sale of liquor after hours. Ida Marie Murning, his wife, was charged with supplying liquor after hours.' Constable B. S. Morrison said that about 9 o’clock on a recent night he saw a man carrying a demijohn enter through the back door of the Empire Hotel. After ten minutes he came out the same way. The demijohn was found to be full of beer. Afterward witness and SeniorSergeant McKelvie returned to the hotel, when Murning said that his wife would admit having sold the beer. "So far as Mrs. Murning. is concerned,” said Mr. McGrath, “I desire to withdraw the plea of not guilty. It is quite clear she did serve the man. As regards Murning,' there is no case against him.” The charges against the licensee were dismissed nnd Mrs. Murning was fined £2 and costs 10/-. Bridget Ely Purcell, licensee of the Victoria Hotel, was Charged with selling liquor after hours, and keeping open after hours, and Frank Willcocks, springmaker at the railway workshops, Lower Hutt, was charged with supplying liquor after hours. Both defendants were represented by Mr. W. Perry. Constable Moore stated that at 6.45 p.m. on October 4 he saw a man walking away from the rear entrance of the Victoria Hotel. The man saw witness and hurried along. Witness noticed the man was carrying something concealed under his coat, which was found to be two bottles of beer. When accosted, the man, Charles James Meehan, said he had bought the liquor before 6 o’clock and had just taken delivery of it. He said Willcocks had served him, but he refused to go back with the constable to the hotel and see Willcocks. He then admitted he had just got the liquor. Mr. Perry submitted that there Was no ease to answer as against the licensee. He did not think any reliance could be placed on Meehan’s evidence. “With regard to Willcocks,” said the magistrate, “there is a case to answer.”

Willcocks gave evidence that he had never seen" Meehan that night, much less sold liquor to him. Being a brother-in-law of Mrs. Purcell, he sometimes assisted in the bar. He and his wife were living at the hotel. “I am going to enter a conviction in this case against Willcocks,” said the magistrate, “I believe Meehan, notwithstanding he hedged with the constable.” He dismissed the charges against Mrs. Purcell, and fined Willcocks £5 and costs 13/-.

The annual W.E.A. social reunion was held last night.' An interesting programme was arranged and included musical items, national dancing and playreadings. Dr. I. L. G. Sutherland, W.E.A. Director, gave a short talk on “The Arts and Crafts of the North American Indians,” and exhibited some fine examples of rugs, blankets and pottery. A recital by St. Paul’s Pro-Cathedral Choir will be given this evening at 8 o’clock under the direction of Mr. Robert Parker. The programme will include Mendelssohn’s 42nd psalm, “As the Hart Pants,” while the soloists are Mrs. Alexander, Mr. Chas. Williams and Mr. Binet Brown. An offertory will be taken for the St. Paul’s Boys’ Club.