THE LICENSING ACT.

Otago Witness, Issue 3888, 18 September 1928, Page 10

THE LICENSING ACT.

HOTELKEEPER FINED £5O. AUCKLAND, September 12. On August 31, when John G. M'Gregor, licensee of the Rising Sun Hotel, Karangahape road, was before Mr W. R. M'Kean, S.M., at the Police Court, on foui- charges of selling liquor not true to label he denied adulteration of the liquors, and alleged that the whole thing was a “ frame up ” and the result of a conspiracy against him. After lengthy evidence the magistrate reserved his decision, which he gave to-day. “ The Health Department’s inspector took at random from under the bar counter four bottles —two of brandy, one of gin, and one containing schnapps,” sa# Mr M'Kean. “The brandy and gin contents were not true to label, while in the case of the shnapps there was an added. 10 per cent, of water. There is no evidence to suggest that the barman was in. any way responsible. The defendant’ himself attended to the stocking of the bar every day. He will be convicted on all the charges.” Before the penalties had been imposed

counsel asked the magistrate to convict on one charge, and reserve his decision on the other three charges pending the decision of appeal. The magistrate fined M'Gregor £5O on • the first charge. Security of appeal was fixed at the amount of the fine, plus costs and £lO 10s. Decision on the remaining three charges was reserved.