BREACHES OF LICENSING ACT.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXII, Issue 801, 20 January 1910, Page 3

BREACHES OF LICENSING ACT.

FOUND ON LICENSED PREMISES.

TEN CONVICTIONS RECORDED.

The number of cases for breaches of the Licensing Act heard at yesterday’s sitting of the Magistrate’s Court constituted a record locally, there being 18 cases set down for hearing of which 11 were heard and six adjourned until next court day. Of the cases heard convictions were recorded in ten cases.

The first cases heard were those against John Harris and Fred and Hugh Walls, who were charged with being found on licensed premises when such premises are required by law to be closed. The defendants did not appear but Hugh Walls pleaded guilty through his solicitor. Constable Sweeney stated that on Sunday, December 23rd, he was on duty and saw defendants coming out of the Family Hotel. On questioning them, |Harris said he was a boarder, but the licensee said he was not and Harris subsequently admitted it. Witness saw four empty glasses on a table in the passage of the hotel. The Magistrate convicted and fined the defendants, Harris and Fred Walls, ros and costs 7s, and Hugh Walls 5s and costs 7s. Harry O’Donnell charged with being found on the same premises pleaded not guilty.

Constable Woods in evidence stated that in compauy with Constable Sweeney he was watching the F'amily Hotel and saw defendant coming out of the side entrance at 3.30 p.m. Asked him what he was doing there and he replied “Yon can’t prove I was inside.”

In reply to the Bench witness said he was about 30 to 35 yards away when he saw defendant coming out. After defendant came out witness intercepted a man named L,euiban who had a bottle of beer in his possession and consequently defendant was not in witness’ sight all the time, but he had no doubt at all that defendant was the man as he knew him well.

Constable Sweeney corroborated the previous witness’ evidence. The defendant denied having been in the hotel and said that when the constable spoke to him he had just come from his home. The Magistrate recorded a conviction and fined defendant 10s with costs 7s, Peter Peterson and- Patrick Lenihan were charged with the same offence but did not appear. Constable Woods said that he saw Petersen, who is a prohibited person, coming out of the hotel slightly under the influence of liquor. Denihau had been caught leaving the hotel with a bottle of beer under his coat. Both defendants on being served with summonses had admitted their guilt. They were both convicted and fined 1 os, and costs 7s.

James Harper charged with the same offence on the same date pleaded not guilty. Constable Woods said that on the date in question at about 8 p.m. he saw defendant going into the Family Hotel. Followed him and asked what he was doing there. He replied that he wanted a bed. The defendant admitted sleeping at the Mauawatu Plotel on the previous night. Witness subsequently made enquiries and found that defendant slept at the Family Hotel on the Sunday night. Constable Sweeney gave similar evidence.

James Harper, the defendant, said that he left the Manawatu Hotel on the Sunday afternoon at about two o’clock and took a horse out to Green’s mill. On his arrival there, the cook, Mr Geuuwar, asked him to drive back to Foxton with him and stay at the Family Hotel and then attend the Palmerston races wbiehAvere to be held the folio wing day. This he aid which accounted for his being on the premises when the police came in.

The Magistrate said he would accept defendant’s statement and dismissed the case.

Rea«ton Baker charged with being found in the Family Hotel on Sunday, January end, pleaded guilty and was convicted and fined ios and costs 7s.

John Kiuley charged with being found in the Manawatu Hotel on Sunday, December 26th, did not appear.

Constable Woods said that on the date in question at about 7 p.m. he entered the Manawatu Hotel and found defendant in conversation with one of the boarders in the bar parlour. On questioning him, Kiuley said that the boarder had invited him in, but this was denied. Kiuley then admitted that he had no right in the hotel. The licensee of the hotel said that he did not know that Kiuley was on the premises. A conviction was recorded and defendant fined 10s and costs 7s.

George Gupwell and Simeon Wilson charged with being in the Manawatu Hotel on Sunday, January 2nd, did not appear to answer the charge. Constable Woods said that at about S a.m, on January end, he entered the Manawatu Hotel and found the two defendants there. Gupwell was drinking a long beer and Wilson was standing by the slide. Asked them what they were doing there and Gupwell said he would plead guilty as he knew he bad no right on the premises. Wilsou left the hotel without replying to hjs question. Both defendants were convicted and fined 10s and costs 7s