MIDNIGHT POKER.

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXIII, 12 August 1926, Page 3

MIDNIGHT POKER.

A TARTY - AND ITS SEQUEL.

By TelccrADh —Press Association HASTINGS, August 11. A midnight poker party held recently in a Hastings hotel, resulted in the appearance before the Magistrate (Air Dyer) of the licensee and members of the “school.” James Frederick Le Suer, licensee ot the Albert Hotel, was charged, with, on July 18, being the lieensee of the Albert Hotel, he did permit gambling on the premises; with opening his premises for the sale of liquor during prohibited hours; and with .selling liquor to If. Mendelsohn during prohibited hours. At the request of the police, the second charge was withdrawn, and defendant pleaded guilty to the two remaining charges. Sergeant Hogan said that a man named Smith went to the Albert Hotel on the evening of Saturday, July I■, accompanied b.v one named Ware. They went into the sitting room and found Mendelsohn there. They startl'd a game of poker and were later joined liv F. Slater, who was a. hoarder in til© hotel. About 1 L o e.'oek l.e Sueur came in and stood behind South, helping him with his game. Jailer C. 11. Slater joined the party and took a hand for one of the players. Between 5 and G o'clock in the morning all went down-' stairs. There was some discussion about settling up, but this was finally adjusted. On, the following morning South visited the police station, and laid a complaint, as a result el’ which the charges were brought.

Air L. A. Rogers, for the defendant, said the facts were fairly put by the prosecution. The men lire! apparently taken French leave of the sitting room until about 1 l o'clock-, when Le Sueur found them there. Theoretically, lie should have ordered them In leave iminediatelv. ITiforlimalely he did nnl. He had been Ihe holder of a publican's Trense for eight years, and during that time he had uol had one personal conviction against, him. Air Rogers submitted a. letter received by Le Sueur wliei! he became licensee of the Rutland lintel at Wanganui, from Air Day, S.AL. speaking highly of llie manner in which tin' hotel had been conducted.

His Worship: “It seems that, gambling is his trnubl'. I don't think a. mail is lit to hold a license who emmleliiiiH'rs this .sort of thing. If I endorse, his license, it'will lie with the idea of getting him out. I am not- sure that I am not being 100 lenient, hill wiM give him another ehnnee. If he comes up again he will he deal: with severely. He will he fined LT d and costs for selling liquor alter hours.

Til eouiieelion with the above ease. .Manuel .Mendelsohn, Thomas Timmis South. Charles Henrv Sinter. Edward Ware and Frederick Slater (hoarder at the bote!) were charged with aiding Le Sueur in allowing gambling r.n dei'iiscd premises. Ali pleaded guilty and were lined (Jo and costs each.