A SWEDE’S DRINK.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume V, Issue 1274, 13 March 1918, Page 9

A SWEDE’S DRINK.

NEW CASE AT PORT. liquoh IN BOARDING-HOUSE. An interesting ease was heard at Lyttelton this morning before Mr T. A. B. Bailey, S.M. A Swede named Oscar W.lliara Dahlcn was charged that, not being a member of the family, or a servant of Mary Wilson, he was found drinking liquor in her restaurant in Loudon Street, Lyttelton, at a time when licensed premises were required to be closed. He pleaded not guilty, and was defended by Mr Hunt. The information was laid under section 11, sub-section 2, or the Sale of Liquor Eestrictiou Act, 1917. Senior-Sergeant Jackson said that in company with Constable Hodgins he went into Airs Wilson’s boarding-house or restaurant, and there saw the man Dahlen sitting in one of the front rooms drinking beer. Previously, just after the new Act (which provides that no intoxicating liquor be taken into a restaurant after G p.ra.) came into force, he had visited Mrs Wilson and asked her if anybody could go into her house and buy a single meal. She replied that anyone could. Constable Michael Hodgins gave similar evidence. Mr Hunt said that Mrs Wilson had resided in Lyttelton for the past 12 years, and during that time she had had seven and sometimes eight permanent boarders. She had a sign bearing the words, “Private board and residence’’ over her door. This case did not come under the- Act. Mary Wilson, a coloured middle-aged woman, denied that she told SeniorSergeant Jackson all that he had said she told him. Dahlen said that he was a seaman, and when he was in port he always stopped at Mrs Wilson’s place. He was then cross-examined by Senior-Sergeant Jacksou, who finished by telling the Court that Dahlen was the'“star boarder.” There were frequent passages at arms between the Senior-Sergeant and Mr Hunt. The Magistrate decided to reserve his decision.