IMPORTANT LICENSING DECISION.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXII, Issue 881, 20 August 1910, Page 3

IMPORTANT LICENSING DECISION.

k prosecution of considerable interest to licensees and evening banqueters, who, to a certain extent, are the guests ol a hotel for purposes ot a smoke concert, dinner or other entertainment, was heard at the Magistrate’s Court Wellington, this week, before Mr W. G. Riddell, S.M. Marshall John Donnelly, licensee of the New Zealander Hotel, was, on the information of the police, charged that in August, during a time at which his licensed premises were directed to be closed by or in pursuance of the licensing Act, he allowed liquor, although purchased before the hour of closing the hotel, to be consumed on the premises. The facts were that on the evening of the Bth August, the Ramblers’ Football Club, on the occasion of their winning the Championship, held a dinner and smoke concert at the New Zealander Hotel. Counsel for the defence submitted that the case was not one for conviction. The entertainment started at 7.30, and it was probably over soon alter 10.30. All that had been proved was that liquor was on the table when the police mitered. There were some glasses containing a certain quantity of beer —mostly dregs —but most of the glasses had lemonade. The Magistrate convicted defendant, and imposed a fine of 20s and costs.