LICENSING CASES.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 7543, 28 October 1902, Page 3

LICENSING CASES.

APPLICATION FOR A RE-HEARING,

THE EASTERN HOTEL CASE

At the Magistrate's Court this morning Mr Harper, on behalf of Charles Gray Craddock, licensee of the Eastern Hotel, applied for a re-hearing of the case in which his client was fined for selling liquor to one Thomas Calvert when in a state of intoxication.

Mr Harper said that his application was based on the fact that fresh evidence had been discovered'. Three men who were * about the Eastern Hotel on the night in question were prepared to swear that the man Thomas Calvert was not drunk, but suffering from illness

Mr Stringer, who appeared for the police, objected to the proposal for a rehearing, submitting that no reason for that course had been shown.

His Worship said that he was not disposed to grant a re-hearing, for the appli-v cant had his remedy in an appeal. There was no question as to the character of the case. It was not the actual fine that the licensing was fighting against, but the endorsement of his license i whioh meant a* severe loss of property. Licensees ran I tremendous risks, and they must be cor- j respondingly careful. He knew that in j the majority of these cas«s any evidence could be obtained that was wanted. The risks were enormous, and the owners of the licenses would leave no stone unturned to fight against danger. He saw no reason whatever for granting a. re-hearing, and must decline to entertain the appiioation.