CAUGHT IN HOTEL

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume 52, Issue 32312, 13 September 1943, Page 5

CAUGHT IN HOTEL

PROHIBITED PERSON FINED CASE HEARD IN PAEROA I _—— A fine of £1 was imposed on J. Patrick O’Brien by Mr W. H. Freeman, S.M., in the Paeroa Court on Monday on a charge of being on licensed premises while a prohibited person, O’Brien pleaded not guilty. Constable H. E. Hollinshead stated that at about 4 p.m. on Monday, August 2, he had been in a hotel in Paeroa and had seen accused leaving the bar. O’Brien had been prohibited since December 7, 1942. O’Brien: Did you see me having a drink ? Constable Hollinshead replied that he had not seen him having a drink and did not enquire whether he had had a drink. He had thought accused was under the influence of drink by his actions. O’Brien said the police should have arrested him if they considered he was Under the influence of drink and had him certified by a doctor to prove he had been drinking. Continuing, O’Brien explained that he had called at the hotel to see the poundkeeper who had impounded a cow of his.. Constable J. L. Brown said he had seen O’Brien leave the hotel, his gait being a little unsteady. When questioned later he had stated that he had not had a drink but had called at the hotel to see some stockman. In answer to O’Brien Constable Brown agreed that O’Brien had ndt previously given trouble. O’Brien said that he had asked the police if it would be in order for him to collect pig tucker from the hotels and Constable Brown had replied that it would be alright. If he had wanted a drink he would not have gone openly to the bar as everybody knew he was a prohibited person.

Answering the Magistrate, O’Brien explained that he had gone to the hotel to see the poundkeeper whom he had called to the bar door and tendered a £1 note to pay the pound charges and so secure the release of his stock. The poundkeeper had had to go back to the bar to secure change and when this had been handed to him he had walked away. A fine of £1 with costs 10s was imposed.