POLICE AND PUBLICAN.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume XVII, Issue 992, 11 March 1909, Page 22

POLICE AND PUBLICAN.

From the “ London L.V. Gazette ’’ we find a report of a case which may well commend itself to our police in this Dominion. At Blaina Police Court William Griffiths, licensee of the Greyhound Inn, Nantyglo. was summoned for permitting drunkenness on Nov. 21, and Albert Davies, Nantyglo, was summoned for being drunk on the premises and refusing to quit. Mr. H. Lyne, Newport, prosecuted for the police. P.C. Morgan said that he saw the man Davies outside the inn, staggering drunk, and trying to make his way to the inn. From what witness was told by the neighbours he went to the Police Station to fetch P.C. White, and when the returned they found the man inside the Greyhound Inn. The Clerk (Mr. E. H. Davies): Why on earth did you not stop the man going in? Publicans are entitled to protection as well as other people. Mr. Charles, Merthyr (who appeared for the defence): Certainly, sir. It makes my defence much stronger.

Mr. Lyne: There is an explanation, which 1 cannot get out in evidence, for the constable’s conduct. Mr- Charles: There is no explanation for the laying of a trap for the licensee. The Chairman (Mr. E. Jones Williams) : The tacts are against you. Mr. Charles pointed out that it was at the 'request of the police that the man Davies had been summoned for refusing to quit. Proceeding with his evidence. P.C. Morgan said that the landlord, who was behind the bar, said that the man had only just come in, and had been refused drink. On Thursday, Nov- 26, witness accompanied Davies to the Greyhound, when, in the presence of Griffiths, Davies said that on Nov. 21 he had ben in the house for a couple of hours, and had had seven or eight pints of beer there. The landlord said: “ That’s a lie; you had no beer in the house.’’ The Clerk: Do you persist in going on, Mr. Lyne? Mr. Lyne: Certainly. The Clerk: Well, it is a most unjustifiable action on the part of the constable. The Clerk also drew attention to a circular issued upon similar cases by the Home Secretary. The Chairman: I don’t think the Bench will convict. Mr. Lyne: After that expression of opinion I shall not go on. The case against Griffiths was dismissed, as also were the cases against Davies. Mr. Charles asked for costs, but the Bench declined.