AFTER HOURS

Hokitika Guardian, 28 July 1933, Page 5

AFTER HOURS

POLICE CHARGES

ON LICENSED PREMISES. Muoh of the business at 'the Hokitika Magistrate’s Court to-day ■ was occupied in the hearing of breaches of tiie licensing laws, in which seventeen persons including three women, were charged with being found on licensed premises after hours. Further, charges were preferred against several licensees, of opening premises, exposing, and selling lcquor. To-day’s cases comprised the largest number under this category heard at Hokitika for some time Two men found on the premises of trie Dunedin Hotel were convicted and order to pay costs, one being lined £l. The excuse given by one defendant to the police had been that he wanted a whisky and peppermint for his asthma.

Thomas Robinson was charged with

supplying liquor to the . Occidental Hotel, being other than the licensee. Three men and three women were also changed with being on the premises. Constable A. R. Randall said that when lie visited the hotel at 4.20 a,m. he found Robinson in the bar with a tray containing six drinks,. Witness went to- the bar parlour and found the licensee and the other defendants. One of the women defendants said she had had a birthday party and that the others were there as her guests. The licensee had con-

firmed this statement, but admitted that she (the licensee) had not secured permission to hold a party. None of the others had offered any other excuse.

Johanna Boyd was charged with opening the Occidental Hotel for sale of liquor after hours, and also with selling liquor after hours. Defendant did not appear, and. was convicted and fined £5 and costs on the charge of selling, the other being withdrawn. (

The defendant Robinson was fined £1 and costs. The other six on the premises were ordered.. to pay_ costs. One rvas also fined £l.

John James Mclntosh was charged with opening the Red Lion Hotel after hours, with exposing liquor for sale and with selling. George Tomlinson was also charged with supplying liquor, 1 being other than the licensee. Two men were also charged with being on the premises after'hours. ■. ' Th defendant Mclntosh, pleaded not guifly* t to each charge. Tomlinson*did not appear.

Sergeant C. «T. King said that on July 12 at 11.45 he visited the hotel with Constable McLennan and found two men at the entrance to the bar, each having a drink.' In the bar■ was •the defendant, Tomlinson, who. admitted supplying the men, who wete not boarders. The license wag not present at the time,

J. Mclntosh, in the box, said he knew nothing of what had happened as he was nob there. That was why he pleaded not Igui'lty. The drinks had been served without his instructions. Tomlinson wr« fined £1 and coots. The Magistrate said, that the licensee was responsible for the conduct, of the house, and he would he fined £5 and costs ion the charge of selling. The other charges were withdrawn by the police.

The two men found on the premises \Vere ordered to pay costs. IA charge of aiding and abetting in connection with persons found °n licensed premises was preferred against Joseph Hopkins. Three men were alsa charged with being found on the premises .(Post Office Hotel). Sergeant King said he found the last three defendants in a bedroom upstair". w’R ordered to pay costs, one being .fined £l. Hopkins was fined £1 and costs.

Chartres of opening the Marquis of Lome Hotel for the sale of liquor after hoi vs, of exposing liquor for sale, and wijtfch selling Were preferred against (Mary Jane Bergstrom. (Mr J. A. Murdoch), Robert H-ewart (Mr Murdoch) being a person other than the licensee .•was charged with supply liquor. Two others were charged with being on the premises. Pleas 'of not. guilty were entered to each charge.

:Coi?istd.de McLennan said that he visited the hotel on July 17 at. 10.20 p.m. He was admitted by Stewart- and found the two men on the premises in front of the bar. One started to bolt off but came back when wi- ness 'caiKl . out to ihim. Each said that 1 hey .had gone to se o Stewart regarding business- Stewart had admitted suppi ving the drinks, at the instruction of the licensee.

Counsel said that one of the defendants had a transport contract to Humphrey’s Gully, passing Stewart’s claim on the way out, and he had gone to see Stewart about some mining gem to be taken out to the claim. The 'drinks had been supplied at the invitation of the licensee. . The two found on the premises were ordered to .pay cost's. The' charge? against the licensee - and Stewart were

dismissed. 'Walter Hayliittle was charged with rupplylug ilior'w, ha’-ng . other, than the licensee. In this connection -two others were charged with being at" the Railwav Hotel after hours.'

'Sergeant King said Haybittlo had admitted si'pp’ying the liquor to the men who were not boarders. All •throe defendants were ordered to pay ic'Os's, the two found on .the premises being fined £.l each.