LIQUOR AT CHRISTMAS

Waikato Times, Volume 126, Issue 21040, 16 February 1940, Page 7

LIQUOR AT CHRISTMAS

AFTER=HOURS TRADING CAMBRIDGE RAID SEQUEL TWENTY-SIX MEN IN COURT (Special to Times) CAMBRIDGE, Thursday. The sequel to a police raid on the Central Hotel, Cambridge, on the night of Friday, December 22, was the appearance of the licensee, three barmen and 22 local men in the Cambridge Court today, before Mr W. H. Freeman, S.M. Constable C. H. Maisey stated that about 11 p.m. on the Friday before Christmas he and Constable Beck visited the Central Hotel, entering by the back door. In the private bar were 22 men, and three barmen were engaged serving them with liquor. Each man present appeared to have been served with drinks, and two ot them, in giving their names, asked to be allowed to take 12 large bottles of ale, which they said they had purchased in the hotel about ten minutes previously. One of the men was found to be a boarder. The constable stated that this was his third visit to the hotel after 0 p.m. that night, the former visits showing that the bars were clear. Shortly before 4 p.m. he had warned the three licensees in Cambridge that the police had received a complaint to the effect that the Cambridge hotels proposed to indulge in afterhours trading that night, and that it was his duty to see that the law was strictly enforced. Allegedly on Premises The men charged with being on the premise*; after hours were: John Hardy Jenkins, William McKinnon, Eric N. Broderson, Charles Perry, Roger Pentelow, Herbert Alex Hooper, Edward John Pentelow, Gordon William Sweetman, Robert James Graham, Rauaroha Tangaroapeau. John Leaning, William Henry Gill, William H. C. Workman, Norman Ernest Workman, Frank Bush, Thomas Neil, Henry Osborne, Alfred Stuart, William Greer, Fred Cooper, David S. Walker and Leonard Gordon Gill. Three charges were preferred against the licensee, Walter Henry Cuthbert, of selling liquor after hours, of opening his premises and exposing liquor for sale after hours. The three barmen, Francis Herbert Joblin, Allan Alexander Pennell and Sidney Harry Hoskin, were charged with supplying liquor after hours. Of the 22 men, all of whom pleaded guilty, only two appeared, Stuart and Jenkins. Appearing for the licensee and the barmen, Mr R. McVeagh, of Auckland, said the licensee pleaded guilty ot selling liquor after hours. Human Frailty Counsel said that surely some consideration should be given to human frailty, especially on such occasions as Christmas time. It was known that people would gather on such occasions. The licensee was in the difficult position of trying always to please the public, and knowing that his business rested solely on the pleasure of the public. His client had had charge of hotels for the past five years and had been associated with them for the past 12 to 15 years, and there had never been a previous complaint against him. Constable Maisey agreed that the Central Hotel was well managed. He also admitted that there was no disorder. The magistrate: I suppose I will have to take into consideration that it was a particular occasion, being the recognised Christmas Eve night. Mr McVeagh: Yes, there was no disorder, which is important. The magistrate: It is not shouted from the housetops when men are having a quiet drink. Even though it was a particular occasion it was foolish for the licensee to sell liquor after being warned by the police not to do so. The licensee was fined £2 and the barmen £1 each, with costs amounting to £2 3s. Each of the 22 men was fined 10s and costs.