BED BOOKINGS AND DRINKS.

Hokitika Guardian, 29 April 1925, Page 3

BED BOOKINGS AND DRINKS.

INTERESTING LICENSE POINT. WELLINGTON, April 22. An interesting licensing point earn before Mr E. K. Hunt, yester dyn morning, the ease being that u four seamen, who, being told that the; could obtain liquor at an lintel by hook iug rooms, honked at the New Zealand or Hotel and were served with liqtioi after (i p.m. The four .sailors, Herman Matson Edgar Cote, .Mntti Kiinkineii, and Dan ml lienly. stated that they came ot the oil-tanker Scofield at .Miramar after tea Inst Sunday, rang up a taxi and come into the city. They wen told that by hooking a room, at ai hotel they could secure liquor, am went in the New Zealander Hotel ii Maimers Street, where Kaukinci went iii and saw the licensee i.Janie; Fisher), lie agreed to engage foul roi ms mi condition that they obtained liquor. Then all went in and signed their names in too hook. They were limn taken upstairs, to bedrooms and were there served with whisky. Alter drinking the whisky, they asked for . hnttles. anil each purchased half ' a hoi tie of whisky. They remained there about an hour, and then left, taking the bottles with them. They visited a restaurant in the vicinity, and walked about a bit. Two of t belli got a little noisy, and the other two left them, going hack lo the ship, where one of l Imni. was supposed to go to work at 12 p.m. Two returned to the hotel at about 11.30 a.in. and stated that they were supplied with three luill-liottles ol whisky each. Some argument then occurred between the licensee and Matson. with the result that the licensee took the bottles from them. Matti Knukinen had tendered a Len-dollar note in payment, and Matson 30s. t nknown to them the licensee returned the money, hut .Matson, believing that lie was not getting hack his Mils made a fuss, and the licensee put him out. .Mntti Katikiiien did slay the night at the Imtel. hut did nut pay for his room till the third visit. .Matson made a good deal of noise outside. calling " Police! Police!” ill answer to which Sergeant. Pciidor and a constable came along and investigated. They went iiu-tairs. and were shown the rooms where the liquor had been consumed earlier in the evening. .Matson was then arrested bv the sergeant, and • h'W"":l with belli. 1 ' disorderly while on,nk. lie appeared at the Court on Mnnihiv and was lined. Yesterday the four seamen were charged with being illegally on licensed premises, and the licensee with that, being the licensee of the licensed premises. he did during the time which the Licensing Act of 19(13 directed the premises should lie closed, open such premises for the sale of liquor. and further that lm did. during the time In,' premises should have I ecu closed, sell liquer to the seamen. The four sailors pleaded guilty to the offences with wfii'li they were charged, and were fined 21 and costs each. Mr 11. E. O' Leary app-aivd for the licensee. Owing to the absence ol the

hitler. Ihe evidence of the sailors or the lines of the above story Was taken and then, as the ship was leaving yesI'W'lav. the ea -i' was :nlioerne*l till I't idav. Anri I 2lth. at 9 a.ill.