THOSE SMOKE CONCERTS.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 10430, 22 September 1911, Page 5

THOSE SMOKE CONCERTS.

[To The Editor.l

Sir, — You are not toeing tihe mairk In this discussion. My letters are based on thie amterpretation, of the word "used" as given by a Stipendiary Magistrate, arid, you reply by elaborating on the word "kept," and charging me with misreading tilve section. In support of your contention you quote from opinions diar metrically opposed to the Magistrate's decision. Wihat is tlhe value of these oplinions if the Courts disagree with them ? The operative words of the section aire "kept or used." The opinion which you quote says it is not an offence under the Act to have liquor at a banquet or smoke concert, unless the premises' on wfhiich the liquor is consumed are commonly used for the purpose (drinking) and no other. The Magistrate rim the case I quote held that the one solitary iaot of consuming liquor with tlhe supper wteus suißoient to render the occupier liable for permitting the premises, to ,be "used" for the consumption of alcoholic liquor, so tthlat you have your opinions of "highest legal authorities" knocked out in the first case in point. Your persistence that an, occupier of a room let for a banquet is on all fours with this case does more aredut- to 3'our loyalty to the cause, than to your logic. The reference to the oyster saloon being readily construed into a mesort is the old red Tierring again. The man was charged not as an oyster saloon keeper, but as an "occupier" of premises who permitted theim to be "used" for consaimption of liquor. According to this deciision a tobacconist, draper, or any other "occupier" of premises who allowed the same tihing to take place would be breaking the law.— I am, etc., J. W. CARD. Featherston, • 21st 'September, 1911.

(Mr Card is very persist enit. He is intent upon reasoning to suit his peculiar vdew,s upon the subject. If he is satisfied that he* is right, let him institute p.roceedamg& in Masterton, as we suggested in our issue of yesteirdiay. He wdJil have no difficulty in finding a case. Meanwhile, an oyster saloon is not apparently a huiilding in which it is f safe to have stout with the sters. —Ed. Age.)