Otaki S.M. Court

Horowhenua Chronicle, 17 January 1914, Page 3

Otaki S.M. Court

BREACH OF LICENSING

LAWS

j lief ore Mr Poynton, S.M., on Friday, John Han nan, .William Woollett, Ernest Hodgnian and Silas Collier were charged . with being on licensed premises, to wit the family Hotel, on Christmas Day, contrary to statute. Mr Park appeared for accused. Constable Sutherley, in evidence, stated he saw accused in the .Family Hotel on Christmas Day. On asking for their names Hannan used bad language to him. He was covered with blood, and appeared to have been out all night. Hodgman said he went in for dinner. The others went out. J Walter Manning, licensee of the hotel, deposed that he had rerefused to serve the men with liquor. They had not asked him for a meal. Ernest Hodgman, dealer, said he and the others motored from Levin to Otaki on Christmas Day, arriving about S.tJO a.m. One oi the party asked for breakfast at the Family Hotel. He was not under the influence of liquor, and had not asked for drink. He had had some drink before arriving, but was sober. John C. Milnes deposed to driving the party to Otaki, but was not at the hotel, and did not hear the constable ask the men to leave. William Woollett stated he asked Mr Manning , for breakfast, and he said: "Alright; go down the passage." He suggested a wash to the rest of the party, ami they went out the back, when the police arrived and ordered them out. He had asked for no liquor. The party were sober. Mr Park contended the men were bona fide travellers as defined by statute, and thai they committed no offence. The S.M. reserved"judgment.