ELTHAM.

Taranaki Daily News, 27 June 1918, Page 5

ELTHAM.

(From Our Own Correspondent.) Eltham, June 26. S.M. COURT. A sitting of the Magistrate's Court was held this morning before Mr- W. 8. Hasclden, SM. Charles West and J. Stevens were charged with being on licensed premises, the Dominion Hotel ; Kaponga, on June 24. After hearing the evidence of Constable Liston, defendants were fined £1 and costs (7s) each. William Milligan, on a similar charge, was also fined £1 and costs (7s). Thomas Sownian, Dominion Hotel, Kaponga, was charged with (1) supplying liquor after hours, (2) opening premises to sell liquor, (3) exposing liquor for sale. Mr. Weir represented Sowman, and pleaded not guilty. Senior-Sergeant Lill represented the police.

Constable Liston stated that on June 10, at 9.30 p.m., he visited the hotel, and found West, Milligan, and Steven at the bar. Stevens was drinking 'beer, West had a glass in his hand, and Milligan was apparently waiting to be served. The' defendant was in the bar, which was not lit. Told defendant this was not the way to do business, receiving a reply that it was bad luck. He said the man Milligan followed him in, and asked for a drink, and he gave it. The defendant stated that on June 10, on returning from a lodge meeting, he met West and Stevens outside, and invited them in to have a "spot" at his expense- Milligo- 1 came in behind them. The constable cme in,, and said, "Hullo! What's this?" The SM.: Did these men ask you for a drink first t Defendant: No, I invited them.

Mr. Weir submitted that the men were invited into the hotel at defendant's expense. It was similar to inviting them to a ride in a car and on return treating his guest to a "spot." The S.M. agreed that a licensee had a right to treat any guest, hut it had to ba a bona Sde case. Mr. Weir held this was a bona fide ease. The licensee was not doing any trade, but met his friends outside and invited them indoors. There was absolutely no evidence as to the sale of liquor. Sowman was conducting the hotel in an able manner, and came from Shannon with a good reputation. The S.M. said it was unnecessary to go into these matters. The men had gone into the hotel for a "spot." He would not endorse the license, but inflicted a fine of £5 on the first charge, with costs, and adjourned the other charges sine die. DAIRY COMPANY AND SUPPLIER. E. G- Barr s ued the Eltham Dairy Company for £44 3s 7d, for bonus of Gd per pound on Ibuttcr-fat for butter and Id per pound for cheese, alleged to be due to him for the period he was supplying the company during 1'913-'l4. Mr. Stewart represented the plaintiff, and Mr. Weir appeared for defendant. After hearing the evidence of Robert Gordon Barr (plaintiff), Mr. Stewart applied for an adjournment to July 10 to permit him <■' all further evidence as to whether \.\w -ompany had or had not paid the bonus. Mr. Weir objected to the case being heard before the S.M., holding that it was a matter of accounts, and should •be left, to the registrar. After a brief discussion, the SJM. agreed to an adjournment.