Manawatu Herald. TUESDAY, APRIL 18, 1893. A Caution.

Manawatu Herald, 18 April 1893, Page 2

Manawatu Herald. TUESDAY, APRIL 18, 1893. A Caution.

To all persons engaged in the selling of spirituous liquor we call attention to the case heard before Mr Brabant on Thursday. The facts are simply these. In January the Foxton Racing Club sold the right to sell spirituous liquors in the Grand Stand Booth for their meeting on the 23rd of January to Mr Light, hotel keeper of Feilding. MiLight permitted Mr Joseph Smith to act as his representative, though it appears he was on the ground himself. On the Grand Stand the bar is at the back of the building and displayed along it was the legend, in very large letters "Denbigh hotel" and in small letters over the above " W. Light." . That was all that was on the banner that had floated for many a year over booths on race-courses. By the evidence it will be seen that the name "W. Light " was not conspicuous owing to its having been doubled up in the fixing. The complaint urged against Mr Light was for not having his name fixed on his (temporary) premises with the addition after the name of the word " licensed " and of words sufficient to express the business for which his license has been granted. As it was evident that these words were wanting his Worship fined Mr Light five shillings and costs, though the maximum fine for a first offence is £5.

It was not made clear in Court why the action was taken and we do not care to seek why accepting that it was done in the exercise of duty. As the law stands, it appears to be lawful for any publican to practically lend his license to another person to trade with, provided he is prepared to accept all the commissions and omissions of his representative. Whether it is quite fair to the local publicans is another matter. To all who run booths at racecourses and elsewhere we earnestly recommend a study of clause 128 of " The Licensing Act 1881 " and to be quite sure that the name of the owner is in letters of sufficient size, and that the sign contains the word " licensed " as well as " words sufficient to express the business for which his license has been granted," and that such sign is placed on the front of the building in which such business is carried on.