“THIS WAY!”

Greymouth Evening Star, 12 September 1927, Page 8

“THIS WAY!”

—-—««►- AFTER HOURS CHARGE FAILS. The* “boarder” theme was again to the tore in a licensing case heard at the Gi'eyinouth Court by Mr W. Meldruni, S.M., to-day, but it was given a new angle. Two young men, William Currie and William were charged with being unlawfully upon the premises of the Brian Boru Hotel, Greyiriouth after hours, on August 27. They pleaded not guilty. Constable Brown said that he was one of a police party who raided the hotel at 9.45 p.m. The two defendants were let out of the hotel by Miss Gieseking, who opened back’door tor them and said, “This way!” Witness and Constable Paddy were at the hack door, and Sergeant Smyth at the front. Constable Paddy gave similar evidence and stated that Roberts, when questioned, stated that he and Currie were with McLean, a boarder at the hotel. Sergeant Smyth, who conducted the prosecution, said that when he knocked at the front door, someone approached it, but went back again. About two' minutes afterwards, the

door was opened. Giving evidence in his own defence, Roberts said that he and Currie went to the hotel at 7.30 p.m. to see McLean, who was a great friend of his. They intended going to an “evening” in Preston Road, but McLean said he did not think he would bother* going. They walked around the streets for some time, and then McLean changed his mind and decided to go with them •to the “evening.” Accordingly, they went back to the hotel with him, and went up to his bedroom to wait until he changed his clothes. McLean requested Miss Gieseking to let them out at the back door, and the police arrived as she did so. He and Currie had no drinks, and did not ask for any. To the Sergeant: They were not actually in the bar parlour, but were standing at the parlour door talking to “a- couple of girls and a chap.” When they went into the hotel about 9 p.m., the front door was open. They left’ by the back door because it was nearer to McLean’s room, which was just at the top of the back stairs. Currie corroborated his friend’s .evidence. The Sergeant asked why McLean wanted to change his clothes, when he was dressed well enough to walk the streets on a Saturday night. The S.M. (smilingly): “There is a difference between walking the streets and going to a party!” He stated that the onus was upon the defendants to show they went to the hotel for a sufficient reason. They were quite justified in going to McLean’s room and waiting for him while he changed. Their explanation would be accepted, and both charges dismissed.