BOY'S OFFENCE

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 05, Issue 76, 10 July 1942, Page 5

BOY'S OFFENCE

LIQUOR TAKEN TO PAH

INCIDENT AT WAIOTAHI

A rather unusual case was heard at the sitting of the Children's Court before Mr E. L. Walton, S.M., at Opotiki,, when u youth faced charges that on. May 26, at Waiotahi, he took intoxicating liquor into the Waiotahi Maori Pah in the Maori Council District of Matatua, and also that he supplied liquor to Natives at Waiotahi Pah. The circumstances surrounding the case Avere outlined by Sergeant J. Isbister avlio stated that the boy went to tiie Masonic Hotel under instructions from his employer, and there picked up lavo cartons of beer. It was reA'ealed that the boy's employer had been telephoned by the proprietor of the Masonic Hotel and asked to pick up lavo cartons ;to be delivered to a customer in the course of the usual deliA*er3 r of the firm. The beer was over-carried, and Avas still in the A - an Avhen it reached tiie "Waiotahi Pah. The boy Avent into the Pah Avith the beer still in the van, and it was noticed by a Maori soldier, who- proceeded to help himself Avliile the boy Avas busily engaged writing an order in his book in the front of the van. The boy protested when he saAv what was happening, but all the damage had been done. At that moment Sergeant Isbister arrived on the scene. Mr N. V. Hodgson, Avho appeared for the boy., claimed that the meat had been loaded on top of the beer, and the beer had not been delivered as it Avould haAe meant unloading the meat. The boy went into the pah Avithout thinking of an offence. The boy Avas a volunteer for the -Navy. The Magistrate said that it Avas evident that the boy Avas the victim of circumstances, which could not recur under the new regulations. The licensee would in future be in a different position. The responsibility of licensee had been increased considerably. At this time there Avas difficulty over the delivery of goods, -but if a licensee could not deliver -beer in accordance to the regulations, he would do better not to de'Jiver it at all. In admonishing and discharging the boy, the magistrate remarked that lie had been trying to serve his master. EdAvin E. Oswald Avho supplied the boy with the liquor was also prosecuted. Mr R. East for the defendant suggested that the olfence Avas of a trifling nature and submitted that the appearance of the j r outh was deceptive and Avould justily dismissal. He quoted authority for this point of view. The Magistrate said that the question was whether the youth appeared to be over 21. To him he did not lock more than 18 or 19. There Avere many reasons Avhy liquor should not be supplied to youths \tnder 21, and the present case Avas an instance oi --what happened. It got into the hands of those Avho Avere not entitled to have it. Defendant Avoukl be lined £5 Avith 10s costs.