SAW MAN WITH BEER

Dominion, Volume 24, Issue 104, 27 January 1931, Page 6

SAW MAN WITH BEER

Constable Gives Chase

SEQUEL IN COURT

Wanganui, January 26.

Selling liquor after hours on November 17 resulted in the appearance at the Wanganui Police Court to-day of Edward Dwyer, licensee of, McCarthy’s Hotel. Cecil Carey was also charged with selling liquor under the same circumstances. Both charges were heard together, and after hearing evidence the magistrate, Mr. J. H. Salmon, dismissed the case. Constable H, Smith said that at 9.30 p.m. on the date in question he passed McCarthy’s Hotel and stood on. the corner of Taupo Quay and Trafalgar Place. He returned past the hotel, and as he was passing’he saw a man in the hotel passage with a “handle” of beer In his hand, who, on seeing witness darted behind a curtain. Witness entered the hotel and found the man in the act of drinking the beer. Ths licensee appeared and accept--ed the empty “handle” from the man,' whose name was Scott. The licensee told witness that a man named Carlson had booked in for bed and breakfast that evening, and that he had paid in advance. Witness took Scott to the police station, and afterward he saw the licensee, who said that Carey was the only barman on duty at the hotel that night. Witness saw the hotel register, and Carlson’s name was in the book, but Scott's name had not. been entered. The licensee and the barman denied any knowledge of who supplied drink to Scott.

Cecil Carey, the barman, said that Carlson was in the hotel In the evening and he frequently stayed the night there. Witness was In the bar .for the purpose ot serving boarders. Carlson went to the bar and witness asked him if he was a boarder, and . Carlson said he was. Carlson ordered two beers, and witness supplied them. There was no one with .Carlson. It did not occur to witness • that it was strange for a man to call for two drinks, as guests sometimes took drinks to their bedrooms. Later witness left the bar and saw Constable Smith talking with Scott. Witness had not sold any drink to Scott. The magistrate agreed with the police that the case was a very suspicious one, but so long as it could not be contradicted that liquor was not supplied to anyone other than to a boarder he could not make a conviction. The case was therefore dismissed.