Bar closed for ten days for serving underage Navy ratings

A North Shore bar has had its liquor licence suspended after a police investigation found a group of underage ratings at a Navy function, including one who was so drunk that he collapsed outside and was taken to hospital by ambulance.

His condition and the discovery of the other ratings who were underage prompted the Liquor Licensing Authority to order the suspension of the Barrys Point Bar and Cafe's licence for 10 days from yesterday.

However, the Navy has taken no action against any of the ratings involved in the incident.

In a written decision released yesterday, the authority said the bar was twice visited by the North Shore team policing unit late last year.

The first time, they found a female patron in an extreme stage of intoxication.

Then, on December 9, police were told there was a Navy function at the tavern and went there at 8.45pm.

In the designated "supervised" area they found:

* A 17-year-old female rating who had not been asked for proof of age by bar management and who initially gave police a false birth date.

* Three 17-year-old ratings - two males and a female - who had not been been questioned about their age when they came in.

* A 17-year-old rating who was asked his age when he was leaving with a 16-year-old female companion.

* A 22-year-old rating in an "extreme condition of intoxication".

Both times, the duty manager of the supervised area was Jason Friend.

Authority chairman Judge Edward Unwin said the chronicle of events did not reflect well upon the licensee or the manager and both were fortunate that the police did not take them to court for breaches of the Sale of Liquor Act.

Mr Friend's general manager's certificate was suspended for six weeks.

Yesterday, Navy public relations manager Lieutenant Commander Barbara Cassin said no action was taken against the underage ratings found drinking at the Barrys Point Bar and Cafe, despite their attendance leading to the bar temporarily losing its licence.

The Defence Force had a policy of education and encouragement of responsible drinking habits, she said.

If a member of the force was caught drinking off base areas by the police they were treated and dealt with in the same manner as a civilian. Any conviction was recorded on their service record for a period of time - depending on the nature of the incident.