THE LIQUOR LAW.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLII, Issue 12775, 27 January 1905, Page 6

THE LIQUOR LAW.

«» • AN INTERESTING POINT. '.- [BY TELEGRAMI.—I>RESS ASSOCIATION.] ' WESTroRT, Thursday. 0 ; Three well-known townsmen appeared before the magistrate,' Mr. Kenrick, charged ; with being on licensed premises on January 7 during prohibited hours. The defence of one was that he Was there at the invitation of a friend, a boarder, who was to leave Westport next day. The defence of another was that he was also there as an, invited friend, and also to do business with the boarder prior to his departure. Both had drink in. the commercial room, with their friend, and at their friend's expense. His Worship said it was the first .case in. which a boarder invited a guest to remain. If there was a similar'. case pending he would adjourn his decision, but he did not know of it. He did not see anything in. the new Act to alter the power given in the old- Act of a boarder to entertain a friend after hours in a private sittingroom. He did not say a boarder could supply drink at the bar, but a boarder -who had no other home could chat with personal friends in the part of the house he usually occupied. His Worship pointed to the danger of attempts to evade the Act, by stating that accused were the guests of boarders when they were not bona lid© so. His Worship considered accused were bona-fid© guests of a boarder, and dismissed the case. The third man, who had a drink in company with the others, said he did not know who paid for it. and the magistrate held he was net a bona-fidc guest, and fined him 10s and costs.