RESTAURANT LAW

Greymouth Evening Star, 28 September 1929, Page 4

RESTAURANT LAW

PAYING FOR FRIENDS’ FOOD

LONDON, August 17

If three friends have a meal together at a restaurant, can any one of them be held liable to pay the bill for all three? This was one of the novel features presented in a case heard before Air Fry at Bow Street Police Court yesterday, when Tom Amos (35), a clerk of AVelholme Avenue, Grimsby, was charged with incurring credit to the amount of 7/7 by false pretences at the Corner House Restaurant, Coventry Street, AV. The case was dismissed.

Evidence showed that ''Amos and two friends entered the restaurant, and each ordered a meal. After consuming it Amos asked for the bill, saying that he would settle it, and he was presented with one for 7s 7d. The other two left, and when Amos was applied to for payment he said: “I have only got about 4s. I can’t let you have that, as I don’t intend to walk about all night, with nothing in my pockets.” His own share of the bill came to 2s Id.

In dismissing the case, Mr Fry said he did not think that credit was given to Amos for more than 2s Id. It might be that a conspiracy had been entered into between the three men, but that was not the case for the prosecution.

The case was one of suspicion, but it was found that Amos had in his possession more than sufficient money to pay for his share of tjie bill. It would not be safe for the Court to hold that he had formed an intention not to pay before he obtained the credit.