JAUNT ENDS IN COURT

Waipa Post, Volume 36, Issue 2149, 26 April 1928, Page 3

JAUNT ENDS IN COURT

CAUGHT IN HOTEL AFTER SIX O'CLOCK. A car, two men, two women, a little jaunt to Sumner, and a stop at a wayside inn, with the express intention, according to counsel, of paying a courtesy call on the proprietress. Darkness falls. Two policemen arrive on a "call of inspection." Result: A charge of being on licensed premises after hours. Morris Aldridge, George Fisher, Estelle Sheehan and Kathleen Leighton comprised the party in the car, and Constables Bosworth and Morris were the policemen who made the call of inspection.

Mr Sim appeared for the four defendants, who pleaded guilty. Sub-inspeotor Fitzpatrick said that on a recent evening, the police visited the Heathcote Arms Hotel. They noticed a car in the yarc£ and on entering the premises, found the two men and the two women sitting in a room, which was in darkness, while the proprietress was standing at the door. When questioned they were rather frank, and the constables were informed that they had come to the hotel for a "spot." Kathleen .Leighton, however, informed the police otherwise. She said that she was a friend of the wife of the licensee and she came to pay a courtesy call only, bringing the remainder of the party with her.

Mr Sim: This party was on its way to Sumner at the time. The defendant, Leighton, dropped the bright suggestion that a visit should be paid to the hotel to see the proprietress. The party had only been inside for five minutes when the police arrived, and there were no drinks served. Neither was there any evidence that drinks had been called for. Nothing was known about the light being out. The party simply walked into the sittingroom and the light went out, and there you are.

Mr Mosley, S.M.: They will be convicted. I suppose the chief culprit, Leighton, might feel offended if I fined her more heavily than the others. Mr Sim: I suppose so. Mr Mosley: They will be fined 20s and costs each.

Mr Sim made an application for suppression of the names of the girls.

Mr Mosley: I have no power to suppress, their names, and I doubt whether I would exercise the privilege if I did have. Young people should not get themselves into these situations. It is a jolly shame that these young girls should be found in a hotel, but it, is apparently their own fault.