THIRSTY DANCERS.

Auckland Star, Volume LX, Issue 293, 11 December 1929, Page 8

THIRSTY DANCERS.

CLUB OFFICIALS FINED.

ILLEGALLY SUPPLIED LIQUOR.

(By Telegraph!— Own Correspondents

HAMILTON, this day.

The thirsty throats of dancers at the annual social of the Gordonton Football Club are usually lubricated with liquor purchased out of club funds. On October 23, when the annual function came round, the committee purchased 18 gallons of beer and several bottles of whisky. To-day the president of the club, George Joseph Peach, and the "secretary/ Thomas Edward Saxton, wellknown settlers, were charged -with ■selling liqiior without a. license. The'offence of selling. allegedly occurred in the selling of tickets, the prices of which'were sufficiently high to cover- the cost of liquor. The prices were:—Gentlemen, 5/<; .ladies, 3/; double, 7/0. Senior Sergeant Sweeney said the case was not'of'the usual sly-grog type. The club usually held a dance to wind' up the season, and it laid in a stock 'Of liquor to slake the thirst of the dancers. Saxton was deputed to purchase the liquor. Ten gallons were originally bought, but soon vanished,.and a further eight gallons ware. sent, for during the dance. There was no suggestion that either defendant- made any profit out of the sale. Both had pleaded ignorance,' and had been quite frank. Mr. Strang pleaded guilty on behalf of defendants, and said the breach had been committed unintentionally. Both were old and respected residents of Gor-. donton. They-merely followed the custom in having drink at the annual dance. These functions in the past had barely covered expenses. The dispensing of liquor had not hecn abused. ■Tirfinins' each man £2. and costs Mr. Wyvern Wilson. S.M., said the case was riot one of malicious supply, and not one for a heavy penalty.