AFTER HOURS.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 16508, 19 August 1921, Page 8

AFTER HOURS.

A LICENSEE CHARGED. J Alfred William Wells,'licensee of the j Eastern Hotel, situated at the corner of Cashel Street and Fitzgerald Avenue, was charged before Mr S. E. McCarthy, S.M., at the Magistrate’s Court this morning with (1) permitting drunkenness in his hotel ; (2) exposing liquor for sale during prohibited hours; and (3) selling liquor during prohibited hours. In connection with the charges against Wells charges of being illegally on the licensed premises of the Eastern Hotel during prohibited hours were preferred against William John Thomas, Bernard William Griffiths and Frank Eller. Mr G. S. Thomas appeared foi the defendants, who pleaded not guilty. Constable A. C. White gave evidence that he heard voices in the bar of the hotel, and reported the matter to Sergeant Almond, who returned with him to the hotel. A motor-car wa« standing outside. When they were admitted they found the licensee' outside the bar and two men named Thomas and Eller with him. Tlie licensee stated that the two men were his guests. The men left in the motor-car and witness and Sergeant Almond then noticed that the bar was still lit up. They went to the window and heard voices, one being that of a woman. Witness believed there would be four or five in the room at that time. Sergeant Almond knocked at the door, and the light went out. Sergeant Almond had to knock three times before the door was opened by Mrs Wells. There Were two men inside. and Mrs Wells satisfied Sergeant Almond that thev were both boarders. While they were there they 7 heard a noise in another room, in which there was no light, and onon investigation witness found Nutt-al? there. Xnttall said he had been invited to a social evening given for a man named Brown. Later witness and Sergeant Almond got into the bar, where thev found small glasses and a decanter, with the stopper out, on the counter. There was also a ten shilling note lviner on the counter and some silver on the shelf at the back of the bar. The glasses bad been used and the licensee paid, tlmv had been there since six o’clock. Thomas Choals (a hoarifer'i were drnnh. Mrs WeUs wa-c under the influence of liquor. Sergeant W. H. Almond also gave evidence. (Proceeding.)