LIQUOR IN PRIVATE HOTEL

Marlborough Express, Volume LIIII, Issue 23, 28 January 1920, Page 3

LIQUOR IN PRIVATE HOTEL

AN AUCKLAND PROSECUTION

AUCKLAND, Jan. 27. At the Police Court, Edward. Francis Black, proprietor of Cargen I'rivate Hotel, was charged with having sold whisky, beer, and stout without a license.*

Sub-Inspector Wohlmann said that a plain clothes constable was sent to board there, and kt various times gave orders to servants for liquor, which was placed in his room, money being given to the porter on one occasion in this connection. It was not affirmed that Black had actually sold liquor, which might have been obtained from outside.' T^he charge related to liquor ordered' on Saturday evening1 after six o'clock and delivered to the bedroom on Sunday. The constable subsequently paid for the liquor and received a receipt for. it. and on Christmas Eve the police raided the Cargen Hotel, and defendant said that to compete with licensed houses he was in the habit of giving away about three bottles of whisky to guests. Boarders, would also give orders sind liquor would be obtained outside, and it frequently happened that amounts so due were charged up in, the accounts.. As regarded the- Sunday incident, the defendant said he used to borrow fiom a boarder. Asked to name one from whom it was likely liquor had been borrowed, the defendant named one who had died a fortnight previously. The Sub-Inspector said the defendant readily disclosed a stock of liquor which included a considerable quantity. . Mr Reed, for the defence, said the case was a peculiar one, as a great deal depended on what the Magistrate held constituted a sale. There was no question of loose drinking in the hotel. Although it was admitted that the order was received, no one could be found who had placed the liquor in the bedroom on the Sunday. The hearing of the case was adjourned.