HOTELKEEPER CONVICTED

Evening Star, Issue 19795, 20 February 1928, Page 6

HOTELKEEPER CONVICTED

SELLING LIQUOR AFTER HOURS Mr H. W. Bundle, S.M., gave judgment this morning in the case in which William Dawson Cowie, licensee of the Gridiron Hotel, was charged with exposing liquor for sale alter hours on December 3 and with selling liquor after hours on the same date. His Worship said that three young men were concerned in this case, and the supply of liquor to them was admitted, i£_being claimed that they wore lodgers and entitled to be served. The onus of proving this was on the licensee. “ I have carefully considered the evidence of the licensee, his daughter, and the witness Jordan,” continued his worship, and find that all three young men resided in the city, and none of them had with him at the time any luggage or sleeping attire. Moreover, the licensee declined to produce the bedroom book when requested to do so by the police. I have closely examined ibis book, and am not at all impressed with if; it has not been properly kept, and lead pencil has been used in making entries. More than a suspicion must therefore, be aroused, particularly when the licensee refused to produce the book to the sergeant who was inspecting the premises. I am unable to accept the evidence of the defence that the men were lodgers; I don’t think they were. That being so, the sale of liquor to them was unlawful. Defendant himself was in the bar. Ho will bo convicted.

Air W. G. Hay, -who appeared for defendant, addressed the co-rt in regard to penalty, pointing out that this —'S defendant’ first personal offence against the Act. Licensees had great difficulty in knowing what to do in cases whore local men caqjo along for i jms. Counsel suggested that a substantial monetary penalty would meet the case-

His Worship said ho would take time to consider the matter of penalty. He would probably give Lis decision later in tlio day-.