BREACHES OF LICENSING ACT.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 1515, 26 February 1916, Page 3

BREACHES OF LICENSING ACT.

DEFENDANTS FINED. At yesterday’s silting of the Magistrate’s Court the adjourned cases against Endell Wanklyn and John Burr for being found on licensed premises when such premises are required by law to be closed, which were partly heard at the previous sitting of the Court, were proceeded with. Endell Wanklyn stated that on Christmas Day himself and Burr were talking to Naughton, one of the boarders at the Post Office Hotel, in front of the Town Hall, and at Naughton’s invitation accompanied him to the hotel for the purpose of having a drink. They fiad just arrived when the police came in. He was under the impression that he was not committing a breach of the law in going into the hotel at the invitation of a boarder.

The Magistrate said that if a man went into an hotel on business and a boarder then asked him to have a drink it would not be a breach of the law, but it was a distinct breach for a person to go into an hotel when such hotel should be closed for the purpose of having a drink* even though it was at the invitation of a boarder. No doubt defendants honestly believed they were not doing wrong, and under the circumstances a light penalty only would be inflicted. Defendants were fined 10s each, with costs 7s. L- W. Wilson was charged with being found in possession of liquor and with entering licensed premises during the currency of a prohibition order. Mr Moore, on behalf of defendant, entered a plea of guilty. A fine of 10s and costs 7s on each charge was inflicted. Henry O’Donnell, James Harper, Charles Spiers, Patrick Lenihan, Joseph Jiilett, and Charles Williams were charged with being found on the premises of the Manawatu Hotel at 8 p.m. on Sunday, February 20th. Joseph Jiilett pleaded guilty, and there was no appearance of the other defendants. All six cases were taken together.

Constable Woods stated that on the date in question, in company with Constable Hanlon, he visited the Manawatu Hotel, On reaching the side door he heard the licensee say “Hurry up and get out.” As the door was opened witness walked in and those inside the building rushed up the stairs, and some went down the fire escape. When questioned they could not give any excuse for being .on the premises. The Magistrate inflicted fines of £2 each, with costs 12s, in the cases against Williams, Jillett and Harper, and costs 7s in the other cases.

George Tozer, who did not appear, was charged with being drunk whilst in charge of a horse and cart, and was fined 10s, with costs 7s.