DRAUGHT BEER

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22367, 14 September 1934, Page 12

DRAUGHT BEER

PLACED IN LABELLED BOTTLES HOTEL LICENSEE FINED. (Per United Press Association) CHRISTCHURCH, September 13. For a breach of the Licensing Act. arising out of tbe bottling of draught beer, Matthew Kelly, licensee of the Oxford Hotel, Colombo street, was fined flic, minimum •of £2O. Kelly pleaded guilty to a charge that, having in bis possession bottles with labels affixed, he used such bottles to bottle liquor. The prosecutor said a sergeant and a constable visited the hotel for the purpose of taking samples of the liquor. Under the counter of the private bar they found 12' bottles, 10 of which had Ward and Co.’s labels, but none had the proper caps. In. reply to the sergeant’s question why the ,bottles had the wrong caps,. Kelly said he. had bottled Ward's draught beer in. them. He also sa : d he did not know he was committing a breach of the Licensing Act. Counsel said he had .been going to ask for leniency, but he understood the minimum fine was £2O. “It is a serious offence under the Licensing Act, but I suppose it is a sign of the times,” said the magistrate (Mr E, D. Mosley), Counsel said he had been assured that the beer was taken from a Ward’s, keg. The police added that Kelly said he had not sold any of the beer; it was in the nature of an experiment. -.