ON LICENSED PREMISES

Te Awamutu Courier, Volume 59, Issue 4221, 8 December 1939, Page 4

ON LICENSED PREMISES

COURT PROSECUTIONS. POLICE VISIT TO OHAUPO. Arising out of a visit to the Ohaupo Hotel on the evening of November 18th by Sergeant S. G. Clist, prosecutions were heard by Mr W. H. Freeman, S.M., at the Te Awamutu Magistrate’s Court on Thursday. Sergeant Clist charged Gordon Stanley Adams and John Fitzgerald, both of Te Awamutu, with being found on licensed premises without lawful excuse, and the license of the hotel, Stanley J. Rawlinson, on four charges involving opening his premises for the sale of liquor, exposing liquor for sale, selling liquor when premises were required by law to Bv closed, and with supplying a person apparently under the age of 21 years. Other charges against Adams and Fitzgerald were that they aided Rew--lin son in supplying liquor when he was not entitled to so supply it. Mr N. Johnson, of Hamilton, appeared for defendant Rawlinson. On the application of the police all the cases were taken together. Adams and Fitzgerald, who were not. represented by counsel, pleaded guilty. Mr Johnson entered pleas of guilty to the charges of selling after hours, and to selling to an apparent youth. The police were granted leave to withdraw the charges of exposing liquor for sale, and of opening licensed premises for the sale of liquor. Sergeant Clist said he visited the hotel at about 8.30 p.m. and saw Adams and Fitzgerald coming from the back of the hotel, each carrying a parcel. He stopped them and took them back to the hotel, and taxed the licensee with supplying them. The youths gave him statements as to their part in the alleged offence. The sergeant added that the Ohaupo Hotel was normally very well conducted, apart from the sale of liquor after hours. Sergeant Clist said supplying liquor to persons under age was regarded as a serious offence.

Mr Johnson said Fitzgerald, in the course of his business employment, regularly called at the hotel, and usually had a soft drink. In the past year or so he had had a glass of beer or shandy. Rawlinson assumed that *\ he was of age. On the night of November 18th he called with Adams, the latter asking for a dozen bottles of beer. Fitzgerald actually asked Rawlinson for the liquor, and on the strength of past business associations Rawlinson obliged him. Rawlinson did not know Adam? in the matter until payment was being made. Mr Johnson pointed out that when the Act was originally drawn it referred to people ove* or under 18 years of age. “But that was 29 years ago,” commented the magistrate. Counsel said that in the Midlands of England it was quite a common practice for lads of over 14 or 15 years of age to have regularly a glass of ale. Rawlinson had an excellent record as a licensee, and only once during his proprietorship at Ohaupo had he been charged. Adams told the Court he and Fitzgerald had intended to bring the liquor to Te Awamutu, and drink It. Both youths were fined £1 on each charge, and costs, and Rawlinson £2 on each charge and costs.