MOSGIEL HOTEL EPISODE

Evening Star, Issue 17697, 25 June 1921, Page 2

MOSGIEL HOTEL EPISODE

A SERIES OF CHARGES. HIGHT VISIT. The night visit to the Railway Hotel, Mnsgiel, on May 20 by four young men led to the hearing of a series of charges in tho Magistrate’s Court, Mosgiel, yesterday, before Mr A. M. Mowlem. S.M. Sub-inspector Murray prosecuted on behalf of the police:' The first charges read were against Thomas Johnston, Francis Dobbio, Eric Ralston, and Colin Ralston, who wore charged with being found on tho hotel premises during closing hours, Mr T. O'Shea appeared for tho four defendants, and entered a plea of guilty. Sub-inspector Murray said tbero was a ball being he’d in Mosgiel, and tbs defendants feeling dry at about half-past 9 drove in a motor car driven bv Johnston’s brother to the hotel. The constable saw them drive there, and afterwards found them on the premises. Asked their reason for being there they said they had felt dry and camo to Clio hotel for a drink.

His Worship said ho would defer his decision in these cases until charges against tho licensee and another had been heard.

Simeon Ballantyno, tho licence!*, was then charged with selling liqor .after hours and also with supplying liquor to Colin Ralston, a person under twenty-one years of age. Hannah Howsloy was also charged with the latter offence.

Mr B. S. Irwin appeared for both defendants, who pleaded not guilty. Sub-inspector Murray said the constable found the four defendants in the kitchen of the hotel, each drinking a glass of beer. Mrs Howsloy said they were boarders. When the younger Ralston was asked his ago he said it was twenty-two, but tho police had foiyicl that his real age was eighteen and a-half.

Constable Findlay said that on the night of May 20 he saw n light in the bar, and before he went round to the bad: door this _ light went out. Tho cook came to a window, and inquired who was there. A boarder, whoes name was Ogilvia. went in, and witness followed him, and found the defendants in the kitchen. Johnston and Dobbie, after being questioned, admitted they'had felt dry and went to the hotel for a drink. Each of the defendants had a, partly consumed long beer in bis hand. Witness asked Ralston his ago, and ho repl'ed that he was twenty-two. Witness told him he did not look it. Defendants aduntted they were supplied t-v Mrs Howelcy.

To Mr Irwin the constable said all (he defendants had a glass. He ’did not see a boiile there.

Mr Irwin said that Eric Ralston drove a. butcher’s cart, and often went- to the hotel in tho course of business. On this occasion, though he might have had an idea of procuring liquor, lie went in to see Mrs Howsley about meat with the idea, that ho might bo saved a trip there. Mrs Howsley also said that the young fellow under age did not have any liquor at all. As far as the li eenseo was concerned, the evidence would show that he was in Dunedin and had the keys of the bar with him, having left definite instructions that no liquor was to bo sold after hours. There was no evidence that a sale had taken place. In regard to the young man under age, he was the guest of Mrs Howsley, who supplied the liquor gratuitously. Counsel quoted a decision which showed that a licensee could supply his own guests at any time with liquor provided it was shown they were not there for the purpose of procuring liquor. Simeon Ballantyno said ho was in Dunedin between 8 and 11 on the night of tho alleged offence. No one had authority to sell liquor in his absence. To tho sub-inspector: There was only one kev to the bar.

_ Hannah Howsley, mother-in-law of the licensee, said she could not go to tho bar when-the licensee was away, because she bad no keys. Eric Rawson came to get an order, and the others came in with him. She asked them to have a drink, which she got from the stoSlr The young man under ago did not have n drink. George Meldrum, a boarder at the house, saidh-e was in the kitchen when tho men came in. Two of tho chaps had beer, which Mrs Howsley brought from the store in a bottle.

To the sub-inspector; He saw only two of the men having n drink. Ho would not contradict the - constable’s statement that tho four mci were drinking. In connection with tho charges against the licensee and Hannah Howsley" His Worship said ho would give his decision at Dunedin pn Tuesday, as ho thought (he matter should he further inquired into. The young men charged were fined each 20s and costs.