LICENSING CASES.

Gisborne Times, Volume X, Issue 972, 19 August 1903, Page 3

LICENSING CASES.

SOLICITING ORDERS IN PROHIBITION DISTRICT.

(ft; MATTER OF BUSINESS.

(Per Press Association.) CHRISTCHURCH, last night, , The Magistrate gave a reserved judgment in the test case in whioh Frederick Cross, wine and spirit morchant, was charged with soliciting orders for liquor in Ashburton licensing district, no license being in force therein. Mr Hazelden stated that the case seemed to him to be the same as if defendant placarded the town and-distriet .with bills, setting forth the virtues of his wares, or employed sandwioh men to exhibit recommendations of the liquor. Any such proceedings would be to solioit custom or orders, and if the statute was to be interpreted in o fair and reasonable spirit the act of defendant was was in contravention of the statute. As it was tho first case of tho kind the fine would only be £5 and costs. Frank Mulholland, licensee of the Bower Hotel, Burwood, was charged ■with supplying drink to two men not lodgers and not travellers. One stated that he went to see Mulholiand re some plumlb.iag business and the other re the purchase of a ham. Both had liquor, but it was stated to have been given them by the landlord no money passing. One of the two was arrested later in the day at New Brighton for drunkenness after obtaining drink there, but he stated he was sober when he left Mulholland’s. The Magistrate said he did not believe the mens story, but there was no evidence to prove ■what lie believed really took place, and in face of recent decisions it jvas impossible to convict.