DEPRIVED OF LIQUOR

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume 78, 26 November 1943, Page 1

DEPRIVED OF LIQUOR

MEN ON DEFENCE WORK EFFECT OF LICENSING LAWS NELSON POLICE RAID ON RENWICK ‘ It is desired at some stage in these proceedings to point out that all these men are em'ployed on military work, and they have no opportunity of getting liquor during the day. It seems hard that a man who is working to an extent for his country should, as a result of that fact, be prevented from indulging in what, in moderation is a perfectly harmless practice.” These remarks (says ‘‘The Express") were addressed to Mr T. E. Maunsell, S.M. in the Magistrate’s Court at Blenheim, by Mr A. E. L. Scantlebury, who was appearing for a number of those caught in Renwick hotels after hours by a party of Nelson police who paid a surPljfse visit to the township on the night of 3rd November.

It was realised, added Mr Scantlebury, that the matter was one for legislature, but he wanted to make the point that the licensees concerned had known that the men cculd not obtain liquor in the daytime, and accordingly had supplied their, after six o’clock, not only as a matter of business, but as an obligement at a time when they could get liquar.”

‘‘l have no comment to make in regard to what Mr Scantlebury says. The position is that the Regulations have taken away any jurisdict.on in regard to penalty possessed by the Court. The minimum penalty upon the conviction, of a licensee, no matter what the circumstances are, has been fixed at £10,” said Mr Maunsell in reply.

Edward Tomlinson, former licensee of the Renwick Arms Hotel and George Henry Bowden, licensee of the Woodbourne Hotel, were each fined £lO, with 12s costs, on respeclive- charges of selling and supplying liquor after hours. Inspector Pender, of Nelson, who prosecuted, said the police party entered the hotel shortly after eight o’clock.

‘‘lt was his last night in the hotel, and he had invited some of his friends and customers to come in and have a drink with him. That is what they were doing when the police came in. They tnay have had some later at their own expense—l don’t know,” remarked Mr Scantlebury, in reference to the charge against Tomlinson. ‘‘l would consider increasing th* fine if he had been continuing with the premises, but after all it is not the purpose of the law to seek revenge—it is only for the purpose of checking any repetition of the offence,” observed the Magistrate, referring to Tomlinson. “If it had been ten or eleven o’clock I would have regarded it as a much more serious offence,” he added

Mr Scantlebury (smilingly): About eight o’clock, I suggest, is more like a matter of going to the pictures. Those found at the Renwick Arms were dealt with as follows: Thomas Archibald (purchasing liquor), Adam Spence Clarke, Henry Wood (consuming liquor), Edward Harding Stallard (consuming), all fined £2 with 12s costs. Lewis Haines and Maxwell Peter Synott (found on the premises) fined 10s, with 10s costs. A charge against Frederick McGrath of being found on the premises was dismissed, it being shown to the Court’s satisfaction that defendant had simply called in with a message.