A Judge on Hotel keepers.

Manawatu Herald, 23 July 1896, Page 2

A Judge on Hotel keepers.

In giving his decision in the Johnston appeal case, heard at Mas* terton, Mr District Judge Kettle thus defined the duties and power of a hotelkeepor. He said :— " An hotelkeeper was the master of hia own house, in the same way as the captain of a ship was entitled to control his vessel and those on board. The Licensing Act gave the licensee ample powers to eject from his premises (and for that purpose to call in police aid if necessary) all persona who misbehaved themselves on bis premises, or remained there when they had no right to do so. The licensee was no doubt bound by law to supply the public with liquor, accommodation, &c, but he must do so in a reasonable and proper way. He must control the supply of liquor to his customers. He had the right and was bound by law to regulateto a certain extent at anyrate — the conduct of those who frequented his hotel. It was his duty, in the interests of publio morality and decency, even though it may be against his pecuniary interest, to as far as possible, prevent and discountenance drunkenness and disorderly conduct on his premises. No doubt his position was a difficult one, and his duty and personal interests often conflicted, but when they did it was his bounden duty to disregard hia own pecuniary interests and fairly and faithfully obey the provisions of the licensing laws which have been passed for the regulation and control of the liquor traffic and to prevent the excessive and unreasonable consumption of intoxicating liquor."