LOVE LAUGHS.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume XIV, Issue 831, 8 February 1906, Page 24

LOVE LAUGHS.

That Dove laughs at locksmiths is an accepted truism ; n all countries, but to laugh at licensing laws is a new departure. Yet we filnd that the ardent lover fears not even these. The Sydney “ Telegraph” mentions a case in a suburban Court, wh ch involved an ingenious defence by a lady. The lady in question is a widow, and has managed an hotel for years with cred t and profit. Recently a zealous po ice sergeant discovered on the premises one who was not a lodger, or connected in a business way with the establishment, and questioned his right to be where he was. With ming ] ed smiles and blushes the lady exp lained that the gentleman was a suitor for her hand, and had pa’d a call in pursuance of his wooing. There was not chivalry or gallantry enough in the sergeant’s disposit'on to cause him to accept the excuse, and Loth were summoned—the visitor for being on licensed premises during prohibited hours without Tawful excuse, and the licensee for permitting him to remain. It was shown to the Bench in moving terms by the learned advocate that Sunday, when the cares of business were over, was just the day on wh’ch the widow had time to listen to the protestations of her lover, and that so intimate a fr’end of the family and a prospective member thereof, had surely some cl'a'm to consideration. The magistrate took the same view, and dismissed both cases, holding that ’t could not be considered a. breach of the law to receive a visit from so dear a friend. The police, however, tlrnk the door thus opened is a very wide one. A lady might not be devoid of personal attractions. She might have scores of adm'rers, who only needed encouragement to become suitors. They might wish to press their suits on Sundays. Is such a lady to be sternly compelled to de-

c de in favour of the privileged one, aid forbidden to consider the rival claims of those who seek her hand, or may she receive and be wooed by an indefinite number dur ng (otherwise) prohibited hours?