Magistrate’s Court Cases Dealt With

Manawatu Times, Volume 61, Issue 46, 25 February 1936, Page 5

Magistrate’s Court Cases Dealt With

MISCELLANEOUS CHARGES HEARD.

Included in the lengthy list dealt with by Mr J. L. Stout, S.M., in tho Magistrate’s Court at Palmerston North yesterday were several miscellaneous charges. Charged with being on licensed premises after hours, at the Masonic hotel, Ashhurst, on February 4 last, Edmund R. Morris pleaded not guilty. Tho licensee, Kenneth F. B. Havill was also faced with exposing liquor for sale at a time when the premises rcre required to bo closed. He also pleaded not guilty, both defendants being represented by Mr Cullinane (Feilding). Constable Fischer, in evidence, told how he had visited the hotel at 8.10 p.m. and had found defendant Morris there. Three glasses had been on the bar but defendant had denied that he had had drink. Morris contended that he had been there on business but would not say what it had been. The two other men found on the premises had been lodgers. Kenneth F. B. Havill, licensee, stated in evidence that the constable had called at 7 p.m. Morris was a butcher and had called to secure his order for the following day. Witness had been taking beer into a room for lodgers. William Hunt, retired farmer living at the hotel, told how he had been served with drink through a slide to the parlour. Two other lodgers had been drinking beer. Morris had not had any drink. As defendant had come in he had asked for Havill.

At this stage the Magistrate said that he had heard enough to make it quite clear that an offence had been committed; the evidence of tho defence did not agree. As far as Havill was concerned he would be given the benefit of the.dqubt but Morris had had no right to be on the premises after hours. He had laid it down previously that tradespeople would have to call before tho bar of an hotel was closed. , Morris in this case had admitted that he could have secured his order by telephone. The charge against Havill would be dismissed but Morris would be fined £2 and costs. By-Law Breaches. Charged with negligently driving a car in the Square, Robert Hogg pleaded guilty and was fined £2, with £1 2s costs.

Stanley* T. Sames was fined £3 with 10s costs for negligent driving on Napier road.