THE LICENSING LAW.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2315, 7 October 1908, Page 3

THE LICENSING LAW.

ALLEGED BREACHES.

UL. k.UL. L/ U I I ’-n u I I L. v, * AN UNEXPECTED ADJOURNMENT. At the Police Court yesterday morning, before Mr. W. A. Barton, S.M., Joseph Burke, late licensee of the Record Reign Hotel, was charged with having, on August oth, supplied liquor to an intoxicated person, and also with having permitted drunkenness on his licensed premises. Sergt. Hutton conducted the prosecution, and defendant was represented by Mr. W. L. Rees. On the application of Mr. Rees it whs agreed that both informations be taken together. Mr. J. \V. Nolan watched the case Wonbehalf of the owner of the hotel, ancTThe-prescnt licensee, and claimed that in event of a conviction being recorded under the circumstances, the license could not be endorsed. Ho quoted the recent ruling of Mr. Justico Pendergast in support of his contention. Albert Ansell, dairyman, Makauri, said he knew a man named George Pearson, arid saw him on August oth last. He mot him in Gladstone road near the Masonic Hotel, about 5 p.m., when Pearson appeared to have been drinking, and was about half drunk. Witness went with Pearson to the British Empire Hotel, where Pearson had two drinks of whiskey. They both went to witness’ house for tea. After tea. witness took Pearson to defendant’s hotel, arriving there between 7 and 8 p.m. When they got to the hotel witness went Jo the bar and' Pearson went to the "bar parlor. Witness could see Pearson from where he was, and he saw him having two or three more drinks. Pearson asked for whiskey, and witness thought the barman gave him lomonade and beer. Ho had several drinks there, and the first time the barman gave him whiskey. Pearson was about three-parts drunk at the time. Burke came into the bar-parlor and Pearson asked jhim for money, and! was handed 17, os being deducted for drinks. Burke had ample opportunity of seeing Pearson s condition. After having about ttirec drinks Pearson sat down and went to sleep. Later on witness told the barmaid to wake Pearson up as lie (witness) was going away. She did so, and after waking up, Pearson said lie wanted a drink, and the bar-inaid supplied him with whiskey and lemonade. At this time Pearson was drunk and staggered outside with witness to the footpath. Defendant carno out and said “Don’t let <hun rr<) down ".he street,” and witness replied that he was not going. Burke said to Pearson “If jon do I will not speak to you again.’’ " To Mr. Rees: He tried to persuade , Pearson not to go into the British s Empire hotel, but it was no u s o. He > bad three drinks at Pearson s expense at the Record Reign hotel, hut did not call the barmaid s attention to Pearson being drunk, learson appeared to be a little sobered by Irn sleep, but after another drink uas just as bad again. He had woiked mates with Pearson on Mr. Blacks station at one time. „ . Re-examined by &erg Hp tton . Pearson was in a muddled conditio from drink all the time he was w witness. . ■ . . Georgo Pearson was next called uy Sergt. Hutton for tho prosecution, and on getting into the witness !> ox if was apparent that he had been ' ... drinking. His Worship said it was \ impossible to take the evidence or a man in such a condition, and on the application of Sergt Hutton the ease was remanded until this morning.