SLY GROG SHOPS

Auckland Star, Volume LX, Issue 181, 2 August 1929, Page 10

SLY GROG SHOPS

THREE MEN IN TROUBLE. ! ONE SENT TO GAOL. | j OTHERS FINED £50. HOSBON STREET RAID. Three men appeared before Mr. F. K. Hunt, S.M., at the Police Court this morning on a number of charges of sly grog selling, two being eacli lined £50, in default two months' imprisonment, while the third man was sentenced to three months' imprisonment with hard labour. The defendants were Conrad Beasley, William Henry Buckley and John I ( rancis Davis. Mr. R. A. Singer appeared for the three men. Pleas of not guilty were at first entered, but after the evidence of two constables had been heard in the case of Beasley, counsel withdrew this plea, and on behalf of all three pleaded guilty. Respecting the charge against Beasley Constable Pretious said he had been to defendant's shop on four occasions and had been served in a back room, which was fitted up with tables on which were ol Constable Peterson also described his visit to this shop. Sub-Inspector McCarthy said that for some time past sly grog selling had been rife in the vicinity of Hobson Street and a number of constables had been specially detailed to investigate the evil. Davis had been previously convicted for sly grog selling, but immediately after he had been given a chance he shifted from Grey Street to Hobson Street and started his illegal trade once more. He did not deserve further leniency. Mr. Singer said that Beasley's wife died recently and he had three children to support. Buckley had been worried for some time past over his wife who ■was very ill. The magistrate, in fining Beasley and Buckley £50 and costs', remarked that sly grog selling was a very serious offence. Because they could buy liquor at these shops when hotels were closed, men became intoxicated' in the streets, and publicans were often blamed for this drunkenness. "As for Davis a fine is out of the question," said Mr. Hunt. "After he was last dealt with he starts in another shop. He will be sent to gaol for three months with hard labour." The liquor seized by the police when they raided the establishments was ordered to be confiscated.