SAILORS’ SPREE

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 304, 15 March 1928, Page 11

SAILORS’ SPREE

AFTER HOURS IN HOTEL “LIKE AT A WEDDING” FIREMAN’S “BOILER’’ CAPACITY Four firemen from the s.s. Devon searched the city for drink on Saturday evening, and their quest was successful. A S a result of this, Daniel McCarthy. licensee of the Victoria Hotel, was charged at the Police Court to day with exposing liquor for sale, keeping premises open after hours, and selling liquor after hours. R. Barwise, Francis Hay, F. W. Murray and Edward Dwyer, the firemen, were charged with being on licensed premises after hours. They all pleaded guilty, but said they were ignorant of the licensing law, beinij strangers to the country. Murray, whose account of the afTair was spiced with humour, said that he and his companions went into the hotel, and the licensee told them to go to room 17. '“Did you have any drink?" asked Sub-Inspector McCarthy. “We did," replied Murray. “It was handed out like at a wedding.” Mr. G. P. Finlay, who represented the licensee, subjected the witness to cross-examination. GOOD BOILER CAPACITY "Did you have much drink?" he asked. “No,” said Murray, “ten shillings does not last a drinking Scotchman long.” “You’ve got pretty good boiler capacity, then,” remarked counsel. “I have,” replied Murray. The magistrate, Mr. W. R. McKean, asked him why he tried to climb through a window when constables arrived. “It looks as if you had a guilty mind,” added the magistrate. “Well,” said Murray. “I never hangs about when the bobbies come.”