LIQUOR FOR YOUTH

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 23226, 21 December 1938, Page 19

LIQUOR FOR YOUTH

DUTIES OF BARMEN REMARKS BY MAGISTRATE [FftOM OUR OWN COHIUCSPONDKNT] HAMILTON, Tuesday "We have had evidenoe of the youth's statements regarding his age made in the hotel and thero arc my own observations of the youth in Court," said Mr. S. L. Paterson, S.M., in the Hamilton Polico Court to-day, when giving a reserved decision. The case was one in which Hubert Arnold Grayson, licensee of the Hamilton Hotel, was charged with allowing liquor to he supplied to u youth apparently under the ago of 2L years, and Charles Frankton Crowley, barman, was charged with supplying liquor to the youth. Mr. N. S. Johnson appeared for defendants. "The magistrate has to he very careful that he does not substitute, his own observations as evidence," added Mr. Paterson. "The police-sergeant was correct in his belief that the youth to whom the beer was served was apparently under the age of 21 years," continued the magistrate. "A barman or licensee does not fulfil the onus on him by asking a mere perfunctory question. Ho does not discharge tho onus placed 011 him by merely asking a youth his age. "In this caso I do not think tho barman altogether carried out his duty. It was conceded that he is an efficient barman, and that the bar is well conducted. On this occasion lio showed that ho was aware of his duty, but I cannot find on the evidence that 110 had reasonable ground to come to tho conclusion that tho youth was 21 vears old. A barman is in a difficult position. Ho does not want to offend nis customers," Mr. Paterson imposed a fine of 10s on Crowley. With respect to the charge against Grayson, Mr. Paterson said, according to tho police the hotel was well conconducted. The licensee was entirely free from blame. The charge against him would bo dismissed on tho payment of costs.