NEW POLICE POWERS

Grey River Argus, 12 May 1944, Page 5

NEW POLICE POWERS

To Close Premises

P.A. WELLINGTON. May 11. Designed to meet complaints which have arisen regarding the conduct or some places of entertainment, the Emergency Regulations, gazetted tonight. give the Commissioner of Police the power to close such premises where persons are allowed to possess alcoholic liquor, or where drunkenness or disorderly conduct ,or anv entertainment of a demoralising character takes place. Premises may also be closed if convicted or reputed thieves or prostitutes or their associates are permitted to be on the premises. or If anv person taking part m the control or management has been convicted of an offence under Section 195 of the Licensing Act, or is reputed to be a thief, or a prostitute, or an associate of the same. A nlace of entertainment means anv premises where persons are permitted to be at anv. time for the pur-, pose of eating, or dr nkmg, or dancing, or being entertained, and where payment is made for admission to or the use of the premises, whether the payment is demanded as a charge, or is made voluntarily Provision is made in the regulations mi’ tlie r’ght of anneal against the i closing of premises, and also for po-

lice entry to places of entertainment. Where a place of entertainment is closed, it shall be an offence for anyone to take nart in the management or control of the premises, or for anyone to go there for the puiposv of eating, drinking, dancing, or being entertained. Penalties for offences against the regulations are:—On summary conviction in the case of an individual. imprisonment for a term not exceeding three months, or a fine not exceeding £2OO nlus ten noun'’" for everv dav during which the offence continue;..