Plain Speaking.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume XII, Issue 3913, 15 September 1891, Page 2

Plain Speaking.

Dealing on Monday with a ease against a publican for supplying liquor to a drunken person named Hart, Mr Beetham asked a witness who had spoken of a man being' under the influence ':—Everyone is under the influence of liquor when he takes it. When do yon consider a man so far advanced as to be drunk ? Witness: When he does not know what he is doing. Mr Beetham: Then you and I differ.

Witness : That is as far as 1 understand the Act allows. Mr Beetham: Some have an idea that a man is only drunk who has to hold on to the ground, but that is not my view. In giving his decision, the Magistrate said a publican had great responsibility in this matter. There were many ways of describing a man's condition under the influence of drink, but publicans should have their minds sharpened in such a way as to detect where the line should be drawn. It had been said this man was excited in a merry mood, and so on, and he had no right to be supplied. It was always the last straw which overweighted the-camel, and it was the licensee's business to see that men did not get too merry, or into 'the state which it was clear Hart had reached when he was struck and afterwards supplied with more drink. The fine in the first case would be £5, and on this case £5, with costs to eleven witnesses.

Mr Stringer, asked to have one fine remitted in consequence of the heavy costs.

Mr Beetham replied that it was no use playing with these matters, to reduce fines. Publicans must be aware of their responsibilities.— Timaru Herald.