Pub shut down after school party

The owner of a Whangarei tavern has surrendered her liquor licence after being cited for breaching its conditions, including hiring out the premises to high school students.
The Bee's Knees tavern on Port Rd was one of six liquor outlets recently caught in Northland for various breaches of its licence.
However, its owners claimed "non-stop" harassment by police since they started the business about three years ago and are considering taking legal action against the Liquor Licensing Authority.
The authority, Onerahi residents and police - who reject the harassment claim - objected to an application by The Bee's Knees owner Regina Halbert for renewal of her liquor licence.
Concerns were raised about excessive noise from an outdoor area at the rear of the tavern, confirmed in tests by the Whangarei District Council's noise control staff.
At a hearing last month, Ms Halbert gave an undertaking she would surrender her liquor licence by March 2, which she did.
Police liquor licensing officer Sergeant Tai Patrick said issues of concern were underage drinking, overcrowding and, at one stage, the premises were hired to secondary school students.
The tavern was closed down in late 2006 by the authority after police objected to an application for a temporary licence.
Ms Halbert said not one person had ever been arrested from her tavern and claimed two threats and 10 visits were made by police within 10 days.
She said that in October 2008 she agreed to allow a dance party requested by two high school students who were fundraising for their university education.
Liquor brought in by students was seized and no sales were allowed inside the tavern, she said.
On noise complaints by Onerahi residents, Ms Halbert said it took the Whangarei District Council two years to get the machine to measure noise.
Her partner Ross Waldron said they did not know what they would do. "Whangarei district has lost the best, the most perfect venue in a perfect locality, ever," he said.
Whangarei police chief Inspector Paul Dimery said: "All licensed premises are expected to abide by certain conditions and our duty is that of a regulatory authority."
Mr Dimery said police did not have the resources to keep a constant surveillance on premises or on individuals, as claimed by the tavern owners.
"The stupidity of such allegation does not warrant a response."
Mr Patrick said that, apart from the Whangarei-based tavern, Ruawai Hotel had its liquor licence cancelled for two days starting 11am on March 27 for operating beyond its operating hours.
The on-duty manager had his general manager's licence suspended for three weeks.
"This hotel had been operating for several hours beyond its trading hours for various days and the matter came to light after a fight," he said.
"The duration of licence suspension depends on the number of breaches. If it's a first offence, licence will be off for one day but, when people do it three times, they compromise their licences."
Mr Patrick said although the problem was not endemic in Northland, licensees should follow rules to ensure they did not lose their licences.