ALLEGED DRUNKENNESS IN A HOTEL

Manawatu Standard, Volume 9184, Issue 9184, 7 April 1910, Page 5

ALLEGED DRUNKENNESS IN A HOTEL

A FOXTON CASE

At tho Magistrate's Court, Foxton, yesterdaly, before Mr A. D. Thomson, S.M., Harry S. Munro, licensee of the Family Hotel, Foxton, was charged oil tho information of the police, with allowing drunkenness on licensed premises on or about March 14, 1910.

Sub-Inspector 6'Donovan prosecuted. Donald J. McDonald, labourer, stated m evidence that he had been working in a fiaxmill and had left the mill with a cheque for £5 15s, coming into Foxton on 23rd February. He spent one night at the hotel and went away to Shannon. Ho returned about a week later and put up at the Family Hotel, where he remained till 14th March. During that time ho did not feel in a condition to work and was visited on 14th March by a doctor, who was called in by defendant. He was taken to the police station and there examined by Dr. Adams. In cross-examination by the defendant witness said the defendant refused him drink on several occasions and said he could not have any more, but didn't give any reason. Ho only had 2s 6d when ho returned to the house from Shannon. Ho had no intoxicating liquor in the house during the last three days. Ho had soup several times to try and pick himself up. He was lying about part of the time and part of the time walking about outside. To the Court: Ho borrowed 9s from mates in Foxton and spent it all m drink. He never paid defendant anything while he was stopping in the hotel. He cashed his cheque at defendant's the first day he came there (February 23). To the Sub-Inspcctor: He had several drinks in the house every clay until the last three days (about three a day). He also had drinks at other hotels. Dr. Adams stated he had examined McDonald on March 14th at the request of the policc, and found him suffering from chronic alcoholism. He would consider he had been supplied with drink for a long period up till within a couple of days of the date in question. McDonald was in a etato of delirium tremens. He answered questions rationally. Delirium tremens was a state following on excessive indulgence in alcoholic liquor for a considerable time. Constables Sweeney and Woods deposed as to goingi to defendant's licensed premises and removing McDonald. Constable Woods stated that he found McDonald to be suffering from delirium tremens and mentioned the mater to tne licensee, asking him what he intended to do. and told him ho would keep McDonald there at, his own risk. "From my experience." concluded witness, 1 am satisfied that McDonald was suffering from the effects of drink, and had lost normal control of his physical and mental faculties." This closed the case for the prosecuThe case was then adjourned to the 11th inst. to Palmerston, this haying been pr-viouslv agreed upon provideu Mr H R. Cooper, defendants counsel, was not able to get to Foxton to defend the case, and lie is to have an opportunity of cross-examining McDonald when the case is resumed.