LICENSING CASE

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XVII, 29 November 1927, Page 5

LICENSING CASE

CHARGES AGAINST LICENSEE (Continued from page 6.) John Laurenson, lighterman in charge of the vessel Kaka, gave evidence that on the morning of November 6 he went to the Railway Hotel to ring Captain Allen. When he left his home he had a parcel containing mutton cloths. On leaving the lighter he went straight to the hotel to use the telephone. On entering he went up the passage to the telephone room and looked for Mr O’Rourke for permission to use it. He had not seen Mr O’Rourke before the arrival of the police. When he came out of the door of the bar into the passage, witness tapped him on the wrist to direct his attenion. when he (witness) heard O’Rourke say, “Good morning. Sergeant.” Questioned by the sergeant, witness told him what he was there for, but did not tell him ‘he nature of his business. Cross-examined, witness said that when entering the hotel he did not have a parcel under his arm. Before using the telephone he always asked the permission o' the licensee. He denied that he was at a loss as to what to say when the sergeant firsi spoke to him. He admitted that three years ago he had been before the Court for being on licensed premises William John Agnew, boarder at the Railwav Hotel, deposed that be occupied the same room as Johansen. On the morning of Sunday. November 6. he got up first. The bottle in Oourt was hit property and was in his room on the previous evening. On the Sunday morning the battle was filled about ten o’clock. > Later it was filled Johanaen taking the bottle downstairs. Cross-examined, witness stated that the bottle was never taken out of the hotel except by himself. The Senior Sergeant: Can you have as much drink as you like in that hotel? Witness: No, von cannot; but we can have a spot when we feel like it. Mr Humphries submitted that there was no evidence before the Court that there had been any sale s other than to boarders, which was permitted under the Act. (Proceeding.)