CONSTABLE’S SURPRISE VISIT

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XVIII, Issue 82, 19 March 1928, Page 4

CONSTABLE’S SURPRISE VISIT

SEQUEL IN NAPIER COURT. LICENSEE FINED The sequel to a surprise visit by Constable Gartley, of Taradale. at about 9 o’clock on Wednesday evening, January 25. to the Puketapu Hotel, was heard at th© Napier (bun this morning before Mr J. G. IL Hewitt. S.M., when Thomas Lany gan was charged with opening licene sed premises after hours, and with exposing liquor for sale. The defendant, who pleaded not guilty, was represented by Ml’ L. Ax

uogers. Constable Gartley stated that on Wednesday, January 25, at 9 p.m , be visited the Puketapu Hotel. Outside were two motor-cars, On coing into tlie sitting-room adjoining the bar, he found Frederick Le Sueur, of Hastings, a man named Wilson and his wifq, and two young ladies. When questioned. Le Sneur said he were there as guests of defendant s Wilson and his wife said that they weer there as guests of defendant’s daughter. When asked where she was the defendant said she was in Napier. Later they admitted that they were not guests. In the bar wag a candle burning on the counter. Tli® defendant had six glasses on a tray when witness went in. When witness went out the defendant followed him, asking him not to report the matter as it would be the end of him as an hotelkeeper. The defendant, in evidence, said that Le Sueur and the rest of the party had come out to Puketapu to his (witness’s) wife and daughter. Witness saw them outside, when he invited them all in. Le Sueur wee not anxious to do so. Witness saw to him: “I wanj to see you on business.’' They went upstairs to he sitting-room, but as he (witness) could not light the lamp he returned to one of the sitting-rooms. There was another party in the house at the time, thev being friends of the cook. The drinks that witness had got ready when th® constable came were for that party. There was no candle burning in the bar when the constable came in. Tile light that came through from a lamp in the passage was sufficient for bim to see what he was doing. To the Senior-Sergeant: The throe whiskies that the constable saw were left over from closing at six o’clock. GOT A BIT EXCITED. Senior-Sergeant Powell: Why did you ask the constable not to make » case of it?—l suppose 1 got a bit excited. Why didn’t you toll the constable that you had invited them in?—l left him to ask the question. His Worship: You don’t expect me to believe the story about the three whiskies. I ean believe *n awful lot. but. you mustn’t come too hard on me. Jomes Frederick Le Sueur, licensee of the Albert Hotel. Hastings, stated that at Wilson's invitation he went out for a drive to Puketapu. As Mrs Lanigan and Miss Lanigan were away, witness suggested that they should drive. Lanigan who met them outside, said: "You can’t go past without calling in. I want to have a chat privately with you.” On going in thev went upstairs, but a , thev could not light the lamp they went down to a sitting-room on the ground floor. Witness did not go there for the purpose of netting dink, as he had just come from where there was plenty. Corroborative evidence was given by Edgar James Wilson, of Hastings. HIS WORSHIP’S REMARKS. "I am quite satisfied that the drinks being served by, Lanigan when the constable came in was for the party,” said His Worship. “We know what these little country hotels are. We have to recognise that the conditions in one place are not the same as in others. There 1S a big difference between a party out driving and pulling up at a country hotel, than one going out expressly for the purpose of’ having a rough night.” Lanigan was fined £2 and 10s costs on the charge of exposing liquor, while the other charge was withdrawn. Fines of 10s and 10s costs were imposed against E. J. Wilson and James Frederick Le Sueur for being on licensed premises after hours. Charges of aiding and abetting in the commission of an offence against both defendants wer® withdrawn.