A Club Keeper and his Debts.

Auckland Star, Volume XVII, Issue 214, 11 September 1886, Page 3

A Club Keeper and his Debts.

In the City of London Court, be/ore Mr CommisEionor Kerr, in a case Hart v. Neville, tbe plaintiff was examined as to the defendant's means to pay, and said he was proprietor of a club in the City, consisting of 150 members. He also had a house in the country from which vegetables and poultry were Bent up regularly for the" club HU Honour : Then why not le^y?-Mr Davis: That would be of no use, becauee the goodß are protected by a bill of sale, and the rent ie always in arrears His Honour: What evidence is there of means ?—Mr Davis : Well, ho is carrying on a club, and all the money he gets he putt into his pocket, and pays no onl-; — His Honour: What is this club ?—The plaintiff: It ia a social. His Honour : There are clubs and clubf. Many places are called clubs which are mere gambling hou&es, and others are used for horse-racing. I can't help you.— The plaintiff: He apparently earns enough to make a decant livelihood. He treats all applications for payment in a rather contemptuous manner. —His Honour : The law provides no remedy ior wantof good breeding —Mr. Davis : Ho was specially asked to attend hero today, and hnsnotdoneso. His Honour: Thatish'is privilege, and I can'c alter the law. Why not levy an execution on the club ?—Mr Davis: The bailiffstellmethatitwouldbeno good to do so. His Honour: Then you can interplead, and if there is a bill of sal 6 I will know how to deal with it. Subsequently the defendant appeared, and in answer to questions said the club was formerly known aa the Dowgate Club, but was now called the City Central. Tbero were about 90 members', and the subscriptions were a guinea and half a guinea. The debt for which he was sued was for cigars. Hih Honour : What is done in this club ? Ibo defendant: The members play poker and whist, and the usual games of cards His Honour : I suppose it means gambling, but. of course, you would not admit it. (Laughter.) All gambling clubs should be suppressed. The defendant : I may mention that the plaintiff is a member of the club, and owes me now for a bottle of champagne. (Laughter.) His Honour: Are you a member ? The plaintiff: I have visited the club to sell cigars, but I have not paid any subscriptions. His Honour : I am afraid that neither of you deserve much sympathy. Tjnder the circumstances I will not interfere, to there will be no order made in the caee.