LICENSING CASES.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XLIX, Issue 16122, 10 May 1923, Page 6

LICENSING CASES.

Tho Coronation hotel cases were proceeded with in the Magistrate's Court this afternoon.

In the case of Alexander Agnew (Mr. Burnard), Sergt. Dempsey said that detendant told him that he had come to see a Mr. Doig. Hie man's name was Dyke. Agnew did not mention Thornton's name. Mr. Burnard submitted that tho main reason for going was to see Doig. "It's pretty thin," remarked his Worship. 'lt is a pity this man Thornton was not called, Mr. Burnard." The Court's position in this respect was very unsatisfactory, but the information would be dismissed.

David Johnston did not appear. Evidence was given by Sergeant Dempsey, who said that Thornton claimed to have invited him in. The information was dismissed.

William Lee was represented by Mr. Burnard. Sergeant Dempsey explained that Thornton had disclaimed Lee its a guest. Mr. Burnard : You heard the barman Mcßae say that Thornton paid for Lee's drink?

Sergeant Dempsey; Yes, and 1 also heard Mcßae say the locker door was men when I went in. He was wrong in that, and he may be wrong in other directions.

f<ce, in evidence, stated that Thornou had been invited in by Thornton??

To Senior-Sergt. Fitzpatriek he admitted having been locked up on one .ccasion for drunkenness, and having •ommitted an indecent act while drunk.

To his Worship defendant stated that he could not account for Thornton's repudiation of him. 11 is Worship: I think I can. Alexander Mcßae, the harinan, staled that Thornton did pay for Lee’s drink. His Worship said that Lee had apparently taken advantage of the invitation issued to some of them. He would gel. the. benefit of the doubt, and the ease would he dismissed. A plea of guilty was forwarded by Charles Poeock, who was fined 10s, with costs lf;s. Frederick Frnest Hill did not appear. Sergeant Dempsey stated that Hill and two others left the room by a side door when ho entered. Witness went after him and brought him back. He was fined lCs, with costs 7s. The barman, Alexander Mcßae, was charged that, being a person other than the licensee, he supplied with liquor persons not lawfully entitled to be supplied. Mr. Burn aid appeared for defendant. The previous evidence was accepted. Senr.-Sergt. Fitzpatrick contended some of the men, including Lee arid Garland, had been unlawfully supplied with liquor. Mr. Burnard contended that no offence had been disclosed. The barman was quite entitled, on the evidence, to infer that the men were guests of Thornton. Ilis Worship said that while some of the men were wrongfully on the premises, they had beep rightfully supplied. Upon the evidence he would have to dismiss the information. AFTER HOURS. The Masonic cases concerned alleged “after hours” 'business. The licensee, Edwin Gibbs, was charged with selling and exposing liquor after hours on Saturday, April 28, while a barman, Leonard Percival Bland, was charged with supplying persons not entitled to be supplied. Mr. Burnard appeared for the defendant licensee, pleading guilty to the first charge, and not guilty to tho second information. Senior-Sergt. Fitzpatrick stated that the police would lie satisfied with a conviction on one charge. He explained that lie and Sergt. Dempsey had visited the commercial room upstairs, and at a bar at ono end two men were served. Mr. Burnard stated that there had been no conviction ever recorded against the hotel before. The act of supplying the two men was a foolish act on the part of the barman. Defendant was fined £3, with costs 7s. The barman, Leonard Bland, pleaded guilty, stating that his instructions were to servo no one but boarders. He was fined £s, with costs. The two men "ho were on the promises were represented by Mr, Burnard, and find 20s each, with costs. An order for the suppression of _ their names was made on Mr. Barnard's application, in view of special circumstances'.

ANOTHER AN2AC DAY CASK, In respect, to the British Empire hotel, Charles Joseph McCarthy, the licensee, iraa charged with selling and exposing liquor for sale during a. time when such premises wore required to be closed (Anzao Day). The others concerned in this case were Charles U. Ancell and G. Malcolm, who were charged with being illegally on licensed premises. The licensee pleaded guilty to the charge of selling liquor. Senior-Sergt. Fitzpatrick stated that defendant had owned up to everything, an unusual thing in licensing case*. ljirt Worship: It is quite refreshing. A line of £3 was imposed, Charles Gilford Ance|l pleaded guilty and was fined 20s, with costs 7s, while George Malcolm stated t)mt ho .was waiting for tea, which was af, 5.3 Q p.m. It was 5 p.m. when the sergeant came. Tie was ordered to pay Q»st3 7s.