BOTTLED DRAUGHT BEER

Evening Star, Issue 21824, 13 September 1934, Page 9

BOTTLED DRAUGHT BEER

A CHRISTCHURCH PROSECUTION [Per United Press Association.) CHRISTCHURCH, September 13. For a breach of the Licensing Act," arising out of the bottling of draught beer, Matthew Kelly, licensee of the Oxford Hotel, Colombo street, was fined the minimum of £2O. Kelly pleaded guilty to a charge that, having in his possession bottles with labels affixed, ho used such bottles to bottle liquor. The Prosecutor said a sergeant and a constable visited the hotel for the purpose of taking samples of the liquor. Under the counter of the private bar they found twelve bottles, ten of which had Ward and Co.’s labels, but none bad the proper caps. < In reply to the sergeant’s question .why the bottles had the wrong caps, Kelly said he had bottled Ward’s draught beer in them. He also said he didn’t know he was committing a breach of the Licensing Act. Counsel said he had been going to ask for leniency, but he understood the minimum fine was £2O. “ It is a serious offence under the Licensing Act, but I suppose it is a sign of the times,” said the Magistrate (Mr Mosley). Counsel said lie had been assured that the beer was taken from a Ward’s keg. The police added that that Kelly said he hadn’t sold any of the beer; it was in the nature of an experiment.