Saturday Night Police Visit To Hotel Has Sequel In Court

Wanganui Chronicle, 25 May 1948, Page 6

Saturday Night Police Visit To Hotel Has Sequel In Court

“In view of the fact that the licensee’s liability is a vicarious one, he will be convicted and fined £5 and costs,” commented Mr. J. H. Salmon, S.M., in the Magistrate’s Court, Wanganui, yesterday, after John Joseph Bourke, licensee of the Federal Hotel, had pleaded guilty through his counsel, Mr. B. C. Haggitt, to a charge of selling liquor after hours. The barman, George Crosland, charged with supplying liquor after hours, was also fined £5. Costs amounted to 10s in each case. Senior-Sergeant F. Culloty, who prosecuted, said that at 8.25 p.m. on Saturday, April 17, Sergeant M. E. Parker and Constable L. Stephenson visited the Federal Hotel and found seven men on the premises who were not entitled to be served. Crosland, who was behind the bar, admitted serving some of them. Crosland added that it was his last night at the hotel and that it was unfair that he should be caught under these circumstances. The licensee was not present at the time, but when sent for admitted that Crosland had no authority to sell liquor after hours, Senior-Sergeant Culloty added. The magistrate: The licensee was on the premises? The senior-sergeant: That is so. It was Crosland’s duty to clean up the bar in the evening. The licensee confirmed that the. barman was leaving the hotel. Mr. Haggitt submitted that the circumstances were unfortunate, particularly for the licensee in view of his previous convictions. Crosland had been employed at the hotel for more than nine months, but as it was his last night there he was required to take stock in the bar. This work was delayed by the evening power cut, and while Crosland was carrying out these duties some men came into the bar and he served them. The licensee was in another part of the hotel and did not know that the men were there till the police sent for him. The licensee had previous convictions, but on each occasion except one his liability was a vicarious liability. It was the barman's second conviction. A fine of £5, with costs, was imposed in each case. Men found on the premises were also charged, but the case was adjourned till next Monday. Six men found on the premises of the Station Hotel at 11.55 a.m. on , Sunday, May 2, were each fined £2, 1 costs 10s. The charge against the licensee was adjourned for a week.