LIQUOR NEAR DANCE HALL

Evening Star, Issue 23745, 28 November 1940, Page 8

LIQUOR NEAR DANCE HALL

THREE SOLDIERS FINED “ SUPPLYING " CHARGE FAILS [Pek United Peess Association.] DANNEVIRKE, November 28. A case was heard in the Magistrate’s Court in which a clerk' at Army Headquarters, Dannevirke, was charged with supplying intoxicating liquor to a member of the Defence Forces when in uniform for consumption elsewhere than on. the premises where it was supplied. He and two others were also charged with possessing liquor in the vicinity of a dance hall. The police statement showed that defendant and two others were seen by the police drinking beer from a bottle in the vicinity of a dance hall. The beer had been purchased by one of the defendants in the afternoon and planted near the dance hall. The three defendants on the second charge left the hall together just before being caught by the police drinking beer. The magistrate, Mr R. M. Watson, said that apparently all three assumed responsibility for the liquor. He directed the attention ,of the police sergeant to the regulations under which the information with reference to the supply of liquor to a member of the Defence Forces was laid, in which it was clearly set out that no person could “ supply or act as an agent ” for the purchase of intoxicating liquor for any member of the Defence Forces when in uniform for consumption elsewhere than on the premises where the liquor was supplied or purchased. Although the defendant had pleaded guilty by letter, he was afraid he could not enter a conviction. He suggested that the police withdraw the information or have it struck out.

Sergeant Saunders: Could I have the information amended to read “ supply or purchase ” ? The Alagistrate: I don’t think it would make any difference. All the defendants accepted liability for the liquor. Information of supplying liquor to a member of the Defence Forces was struck out by the Alagistrate, who held / that no offence was disclosed.

All three defendants, for being in possession of liquor near a dance hall, were convicted and fined £4 each, with costs.