ENTERED AS LODGER

Evening Star, Issue 21880, 17 November 1934, Page 11

ENTERED AS LODGER

HOTELKEEPERS' PROBLEM [Per United Press Association.] AUCKLAND, November 16. “ Hotelkeepers are not clairvoyant ol tlie inner intentions of visitors posing as bona tide guests, and if a conviction is made in this case licensees in Auckland will bo placed in an impossible position,” said Mr Dickson, counsel for the defendant, when Albert Edward Neville, licensee of. the Ambassadors’ Hotel, appeared in the Police Court on three charges of opening his licensed premises, exposing liquor for sale, and selling liquor after hours. The house porter at the hotel, Donald Wilson, was charged with aiding and abetting. Pleas of not guilty were entered.

Mr Dickson submitted that, it a man entered his name as a lodger, gave his address, and affirmed his intention ol staying the night at the hotel, the licensee had no alternative but to accept him at his word. He could not see into the man’s own mind.

The Magistrate (Mr F. K. Hunt) suggested that the licensee might ask a man tor his board money lirst. Mr Dickson: That would be a piece of impertinence, it is not done in Auckland.-

He added that, even if at the worst young men booked in to stay at an hotel over the week-end merely ior the sake of drinking, that would be perfectly legal if they were bona fide lodgers. -Mr Dickson suggested that the court sh’ould not let itself be swayed by allegations made by the New Zealand Alliance, but should judge each case solely on its merits.

The defendant said in evidence that all the men he booked in said they were going to stay the night. Jt was unusual to demand' board in advance. Mr Hunt: So a man can go into an hotel, get a meal, drinks, bed, and breakfast, and then next morning say ho has no money P

Witness: lie pays for his liquor as he goes along. Air Hunt; is the rest thrown in? Mr Dickson : If your Worship is going to ask questions like that 1 had better abandon the case. Mr Hunt: As you please. In reply to a further question trom Mr Hunt, witness said that tcwnty-two men had been booked for that night and only two had not stayed, it was quite common for men to stay I ho night without pyjamas or other luggage. Judgment was reserved.