THE LICENSING LAW.

Shannon News, 28 February 1922, Page 3

THE LICENSING LAW.

;ged breaches dismissed

!, At the Palmerston Magistrate's Court yesterday, William McKegg, licensee ol' the Albion Hotel, Snaniiuii, Avas charged with exposing liquor 101 salq, aiter nours. rns wne, Madalme McKegg, was similarly charged, and Haroiu William nardie was charged with having been illegally on iicensed

premises on , January 23. Mr Cooper appeared lor tne delendants, who pleaded not guilty. The three charges were taken together. Constable McGregor said that at l J.i5

o’clock on the night in question tie visited the Albion Hotel. The bar was i lit up, and witness knocked upon the door, which Avas locked. Harold William Hardie, a taxi-proprietor, ui :Shannon, .opened the door and said r he was “looking after the lights end stopping the engine,” because Mr McKegg Avas away. In the bar were Mrs McKegg and two boarders. On the 'Counter were three glasses, one m Tlroiit of each of the boarders and the S 3 the r, which Avas empty, in front ol fHardie. Mrs McKegg told the consstable that Hardie Avas helping her because her husband was away. All tne liquor was exposed in the usual way. The engine to which Hardie reiened was situated at the rear of the building. near the kitchen, and it was not Avorking Avhen witness visited it. Constable Shannon corroborated this evidence. Witness had seen Hardie Avorking in the bar a few hours before. William McKegg said he had been licensee of the hotel for six years. On January 23 he was away in Paiaparaumu. Mrs McKegg was dependent' on assistance to help in the bar, since Jamieson, his assistant, \ was away Avith witness. He had cn--1 gaged Hardie to look alter the electric lighting plant. Witness did not employ a regular barman, and had mstiucted Hardie to help in his ab-

sence. Harold William Hardie deposed that Mr. McKegg went away on Sunday, January 22; before he lelt he engaged Avitness to took after the electric lights and to assist generally in the house and bar. F. King, butcher, said he drove Hardie’s car on January 23 because Hardie Avas engaged at the hotel. His Worship said he thought the evidence showed that Hardie was really a temporary servant, and as such he had a certain amount ot - right to be on licensed premises. The charges would have to be- dismissed. As he had said on previous occasions there Avas always danger in opening a bar at night or in lighting it up, but until the law Avas amended • m this direction nothing could be done in cases ol the present kind.