DRINKS AT SOCIAL CLUBS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXI, Issue 229, 27 September 1930, Page 14

DRINKS AT SOCIAL CLUBS.

EXPENDITURE BY HOST. QUESTION OF OWNERSHIP. (By Telegraph.—Press Association.) WELLINGTON, Friday. The admissibility of liquor at a gathering held by tie Athenian Club, jxi the no-license district of South Wellington, was called into question in the Police Court to-day, -when the club was charged ivith selling liquor in a nolicense district. Sub-Inspcetor Lopdell said the Athenian Club was a social organisation, which held a gathering once a fortnight in a hall at Kilbirnie. It was arranged for two constables to obtain tickets. In return for a charge of 5/ there was dancing and supper. Beer and wine also were served. The two constables were not members or guests as defined by the -ActMr. Perry, for the defence, said the tickets had been bought by the two constables at the shop of S. S. Williams and Company. Mr. Williams was a member of the ccmmittec of the club, and his shop was one of six depots where tickets could be obtained by members. As a rule the committee made sure that the person introducing a visitor was a member. The police made no reflection on. the conduct of the institution. It had been in existence for about thicc years and had a membership of 100. The procedure adopted by the club was that a host and hostess were appointed for each function. They expended what money they pleased on that P ar * ticular evening, and in that respect they were made an allowance by the club. Whatever liquor was present at club functions was not flic property of the club. Members of the club had been forbidden to bring liquor on the premises. Any liquor provided, if at all, was provided by the host and hostess. Fred. Millet Sherwood, president of the club, said under cross-examination that he could not remember when a host and hostess had not supplied liquor at a club gathering. Sydney Frederick Bernard Tucker, secretary, said the club had never had a "dry" night. Horatio Alexander Strangcmulr, vicepresident of the club, who was host 011 the night of August 27, said that if anyone at the club gatherings had three drinks they had;more than their share. He had spent £13 15/ on the entertainment that night, and toward that had received an allowance of £3 3/ from the club. Decision was reserved.