BREACHES OF THE LICENSING ACT.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXI, Issue 464, 1 July 1909, Page 3

BREACHES OF THE LICENSING ACT.

SUNDAY CONVICTION. ON LICENSED PREMISES WHILE PROHIBITED. At the local S.M. Court yesterday, the following cases of breaches of the Licensing Act were heard, Sub Inspector O’Donovan conducting the cases on behalf of the police; Frederick Dunn was charged, on the information of the police, that on June 26th, at Palmerston N., he was found on licensed premises, to wit, Cafe de Paris Hotel, he being a prohibited person. Accused pleaded guilty, but stated that on the date in question he was in Palmerston, and met a man who owed him a few shillings, and he asked him to go into the hotel and he would pay him. He received the amount, and left immediately to attend the Coursing meeting. He did not have a drink.

The Sub-Inspector said . that' Constable Sweeney was in Palmerston and had gone into the hotel and there saw accused with another man, and they were about to have drinks. When accused saw the constable he left the hotel.

The Magistrate inflicted a fine of 1 os, with costs 7s, in default 48 hours imprisonment.

IN POSSESSION OF LIRUOR WHILE PROHIBITED.

J. W. Anderson was charged with on June 21st, being in possession of liquor, he being a prohibited person. He pleaded guilty, and stated that the liquor had been given to him and he was taking it home, and did not think there was any harm in it. The Magistrate said as this was the first case of its kind against accused he would only inflict the minimum fine, but if accused came before him again, he would deal more severely with him. It was a pity that the police could not find the individuals who supplied the liquor to prohibited persons. Accused would be fined 10s, with 7s costs, in default 48 hours imprisonment. USING OBSCENE LANGUAGE, -c Thomas Mitchell was charged with using obscene language in a public place, and within the hearing of passers by ; he was further charged With being found in-pos-session of liquor, he being a prohibited person. The Magistrate said that the Words complained of were not obscene;, and amended the charge tq one of iusulsng lan*

guage. Accused pleaded guilty to both charges}* afid Isaid thatswheh he had used theinsultingdanguage he was vefy-angry! He asked tor leniency, as he had a family to keep, and was out of work. The Sub-Inspector said that accused had been previously* convicted, and was building up a record that was not very creditable.

The Magistrate inflicted a fine of 20s and 7s costs, in default seven days’ imprisonment on each charge, the terms to be * concurrent. V

Accused asked for time in which to pay, but this was refused.

BEING ON LICENSED PREMISES ON SUNDAY.

Oliver Edward Austin was charged with, on June 13th, being found on licensed premises, to wit, the Manawatu Hotel, at a time when such premises are required to be closed. He pleaded guilty, but said that he was invited there by the manager of the hotel, Mr Hawkins, as his guest. The Magistrate said that this explanation amounted to a plea of not guilty, and said that he could amend his plea to one of not guilty if he desired, and could call evidence to prove that he was in the hotel as a guest.

Accused did not wish to amend the plea. The Sub-Inspector stated that Mr Hawkins had said that accused was in the hotel as his guest. There were a great many complaints from Foxton as to the way the law was disregarded in this respect. This was the first occasion that accused had been before the Court.

A fine of 1 os, with costs 7s, was inflicted.