POLICE COURT

Evening Star, Issue 22526, 19 December 1936, Page 24

POLICE COURT

FRIDAY. DECEMBER 18, (Before Mi- H. W. Bundle, S.M.) LICENSING BREACHES ALLEGED. Albert Norman Hope and William Robert Morrison, who were represented by Mr A. G. Neill, pleaded not guilty to being unlawfully after hours on licensed premises, and Thomas Francis Madkie, licensee of Branson’s Hotel, for whom Mr Neill also appeared, entered a similar plea on charges of selling liquor after hours, exposing liquor for sale after hours, and keeping his premises open after hours for the sale of liquor. Sergeant Lean gave evidence of having heard loud talking in the bar of Branson’s Hotel at 2.15 a.m. on December 4. He was admitted by the licensee, and on going to the bar he found three men, on© of whom (Morrison) he knew well. _ Asked what he was doing there, Morrison said he had just returned from a holiday and proposed staying at the hotel until he returned to work. The licensee then said that all three men were boarders, and stated that he had booked them up, but on following him to the office witness saw him write Morrison’s and Hope’s names in the book. Asked why ho did this, he explained that they were two of the men in the bar, whoso names he had omitted to enter. The name of the third man appeared in the book for some days previously. Hope at first said he was a guest of this man, but later admitted having gone to the hotel at 10.30 on the previous evening to see him and made arrangements with the licensee to stay for the night. All three men wero intoxicated, as was also the licensee, who explained that it was his birthday. To Mr Neill: He had taken signed statements from all three men, who, although they were intoxicated, he< considered capable of making them, but Senior-sergeant Packer claimed privilege on the ground that they 11-01-0 official’ documents, and refused to hand them over. The magistrate ruled that Mr Neill was entitled to examine the documents, and the hearing was adjourned for a few minutes to allow the senior sergeant to consult his superior officer. Finally the senior sergeant intimated that h© could not produce the statements without the consent of the superintendent, and, the magistrate refusing to proceed further with tho hearing unless tho documents were made available, the case was adjourned sine die to allow the police further to consider the matter. MOTORING CASES. Henry Langdon, who had previously been convicted on a charge of using a motor car for other purposes than that for which it was licensed, appeared for penalty. Mr O. G. Stevens, who ■ appeared for the defendant, applied for a rehearing of the case, and this was granted, tho matter to com© before the court again at a future date. In connection with this case Walter Perry, sen., who was represented by Mr B. S. Irwin, pleaded not guilty to procuring a motor car for use for another purpose than that for which it was licensed. After hearing evidence, the Magistrate intimated that ho proposed dismissing the information, but formally adjourned the matter to allow him to consider certain legal points in the case.