DRINKING ON SUNDAY.

Taranaki Herald, Volume LX, Issue 143769, 18 April 1912, Page 4

DRINKING ON SUNDAY.

A PAHIATEA CASE. Per Press Association. PAHIATUA, April 17. Pour men pleaded guilty to' being found on the premises of tho Post Office Hotel at Paliiatua, on March 17, a Sunday, during prohibited hours, and were each fined os and costs. Michael Fitzgerald, the licensee, was charged with exposing liquor for sale on the same occasion. The defendant said that the four men in question came to his hotel about 9 a.m. on Sunday, March 17, and asked for drinks. He replied that he could not serve them, but offered to shout, and invited them to the bar, closing the door behind him. He opened the door when the police knocked. There was no suggestion of any money being paid for drinks, and he had no -intention whatever of breaking the law. Mr. N. R. Russell, counsel for defendant, said that there was an idea prevalent amongst publicans that they could entertain their friends on Sundays. Counsel quoted a ruling of the Supreme Court judges in a somewhat similar case, where a decision had been given in favour of the licensee. The Magistrate, Mr. L.G. Reid, S.M., reserved his decision.