LICENSING PROSECUTIONS.

Otago Witness, Issue 3882, 7 August 1928, Page 80

LICENSING PROSECUTIONS.

BEER OR COLD TEA? HASTINGS, August 1. The nine months old “ cold tea” case was brought to a conclusion to-day when charges against Donald Hugh M‘Leod, licensee of the Hastings Hotel, of selling liquor after hours, selling liquor to Athol Griffiths, and selling liquor to a person already intoxicated were dismissed. Athol Griffiths, charged with being found on licensed premises during prohibited hours, was fined £2 and costs (£3 18s 6d). It will be remembered that certain bottles submitted as evidence at the earlier hearing were alleged to contain cold tea, and not beer, as was believed, and the case was adjourned pending an analysis of the contents. To-day the analysts showed that the contents were not alcoholic, and the charges against M’Leod were dismissed. Athol Griffiths admitted substituting the liquids. The magistrate said that the position of Griffiths was different. He was charged with being found on licensed premises, and the onus was on him to satisfy the court that he had a legitimate excuse. Griffiths said that he went to see M'Leod about a racehorse, but he (the magistrate) was not going to accept that. He had no rightful excuse. It was made up on the spur of the moment. There was a great deal more in thiis ease than met the eye. He had no hesitation in convicting Griffiths.