LEASE OF HOTEL ROOM

New Zealand Times, Volume LIII, Issue 12617, 30 November 1926, Page 7

LEASE OF HOTEL ROOM

LIQUOR CONSUMED Per Press Association. GIiEYMOUTH, November 29. On October lpth a reunion smoka concert was held in the Post Office Hotel in connection with the Grevmuutii ninin school jubilee celebrations. The licensee of the hotel (J. W. Wingham) was charged a fortnight ago with allowing liquor to be consumed on the premises after 6 p.m., although it luul been purchased before that hour. The police contended that a perm i issued under the Licensing Act provided merely for the use of a room. ;ind did allow the consumption of liquor. , . Air W. Moldrum, S.M., reserved his decision, which he gave to-day. He said that the defence contended that during the time the room was hired it was outside the licensee’s control, and for the time being ceased to bo part of the licensed premises. Section however, gave the hire of a room only. The exclusive control over admission to such room was independent of or unconnected with the proprietor. The right of the licensee was not restricted heyond depriving him of the right to interfere with the admissions to the function. His rights otherwise and his liabilities under tho Act in respect of tho licensed premises were not affected at all. Section 104 did not relieve him of anv liability under section UK"). If. therefore, ho know or connived at the consumption of liquor on tho premises after hours bv not- lawfully entitled to be supplied with it, he was guilty of an offence under section 100. The licensee, though aware of the consumption going on. believed it to he lawful. He would he convicted and ordered to pay 7s co'-N