LIQUOR AND DANCES

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 1, Issue 88, 15 November 1939, Page 6

LIQUOR AND DANCES

FORBIDDEN BY LAW

NO SUPPLIES IN CARS

According ;o a rccent police state nient in connection Avith the recent Statutes Amendment Act amending the Police Offences Act, dealing with drinking at dances, the poliec have been given wide powers for the purpose of stamping out the practices of the past. Drinking in cars in the vicinity of a dance hall also is to he stopped. Although no definite distance from the hall was stated other than "in the vicinity of a dance hail," it is understood to mean that the police have power to investigate tl<e comings and goings of dance patrons to vehicles parked within a distance of the function.

In effect,, a person is debarred from drinking at a dance, in a car parked near a dance, having liquor in his possession even if he has not been drinking, or leaving a dance to make use of a source of supply anywhere in the vicinity. Included among the wide powers given to the police is the right to search any vehicle concerning which their suspicions are aroused. Private Dances Not Included. "This section is not intended to apply to private dances, such as those given on the occasion of a wedding, birthday or coming-of-age dance, providing that no charge is made for admission to the party or dance hall," the statement continued The provisions ot the neAv amendments are as follows:— (1) Every person who, having con trol or management of any dance being held in any hall, supplies intoxicating liquor to am- person in the hall, or permits liquor to be taken or consumed in the hall, commits an offence and is liable on summary conviction to a fine of £20. (2) Every person who, Avhile a dance is being held in any hall, drinks any intoxicating liquor in tlic hall,, or has any liquor in his possession or control in the hall or in the vicinity of the hall, or supplies liquor ot any person in the hall, commits an offence and is liable on summary conviction to a fine of £10. Wide Definition of Vicinity. (3) Liquor shall be deemed to be in the vicinity of a hall wherein a dance is being held if it is shoAvn that the liquor was in the possession or control of any person attending or proceeding to attend the dance, or was consumed or intended for the consumption oi' any person so attending. (4) Anj' constable who lias reason to suspect that there is any breach by an3 r person of the provision of this section in or in the vicinity of a hall where a dance is being held may without warrant enter the hall, or any place in the vicinity thereof, examine same and search for intoxicating liquor therein and may seize and remove any liquor found therein and tlie vessels containing the liquor. Any liquor so seized in respect of which any person is convicted of an offence under this section, together with the vessels containing the liquor, shall be forfeited to the Crown. (5) Nothing in this section shall applj r in relation to any liquor in any licensed premises or in any dwelling-house. "Hall" means any building where any public dance is held or Avhere any dance is held to Avliich admission is obtained on the payment of

subscriptions, either in money or by way of supplying refreshments, and whether on general or individual invitation, or otherwise.