LICENSEE ENTERTAINS FRIEND.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLVI, Issue 2802, 25 October 1924, Page 2

LICENSEE ENTERTAINS FRIEND.

IN BAR AFTER HOURS. FINK INFLICTED. At tlie S.M. Court yesterday the police proceeded against It. McMulliiin, licensee of the Family Hotel, for exposing liquor for sale after hours, on the 29th September. Mr Bergin appeared for defendant. Lionel Bishop was also charged with being illegally on the licensed premises of the Family Hotel on the night in question. Air Merton appeared for defendant and both charges were taken together. In giving evidence for the prosecution, Constable Ryan said that on the night in question at about 10 o'clock, in company with Constable Owen, ho visited the hotel. They heard voices in the bar. On knocking they heard a scuffle. Witness went into another room adjoining the liar and as lie did so a man named Bishop came through the door leading from the bar. Witness detained Bishop until Constable Owen arrival. Bishop offered no excuse for being on the premises at the time, but later said he was there, as the guest of the licensee, whom he had known in Taranaki for a considerable time. To MY Merton: There were three used glasses on the bar. Constable Owen gave corroborative evidence and said that on going into tlie bar a second time he discovered a man named O’Reilly concealed. Bishop stayed all night at .1 li«- hotel. Bishop’s name was not on the hoarders’ register at the time he was discovered.

Lionel Bishop, farmer, of Maugawhata, said he had known' the licensee of the Family Hotel for aiiout 20 years. They had been friends in Taranaki and when McMuliian came to Fox ton a short time ago, they had renewed their friendship. Constable Owen: Why did you bolt from the bar when you heard the knock if you were such a great ftiend of the licensee? Witness: Well it is the general impression that a person would dive down a rat hole if in a- bar when tile police called after hours. (Laugh--1 erj. Witness said he was aware of the fact that he had no right in the bar after Incurs even if he were a friend id the licensee’s. U. ..Me.Mullian, licensee of the Family Hotel, said that on the night in question, lie invited Bishop into Ihe bar while he fixed up for the day. White there O'Keilly came Bishop and witness were old friends. Whenever Bjsltop visited the Hotel lie was not charged for n bed. Mr .Merton: He was your guest and not. a customer? Yes. The S.M., facetiously: Then he wauls to keep his friendship up! ( Laughter). Constable Owen asked why Bishop did not go home on the night in quest ion as his car was at the door and it was only half an hour s run to his home. Witness said he did not know howfar away witness lived. - The S.M.: That’s strange. You are such great friends and yet you dout’ know where he lives! Witness: Our talk had been mostly about old times since our reunion. Bishop had never stayed at the hotel previous to that night. Constable Owen: Why did you delay in opening the door of the bar when 1 knocked?

The S.M.: Perhaps it was because Bishop was a friend of yours? Constable Owen: Wasn't it because Bishop was not as well concealed as the other man? The S.xM., gazing on the "hefty” proportions of Bishop: Perhaps if was beaause he was too bulky to conceal! He opined that Bishop would have been well out of the road by the time the police gained admittance to the bar hud not Constable ivyan known of the other exit from the bar. MeMuliian was convicted and lined £3 with costs 7/- and Bishop £2 with costs 7/-.