"SLY GROG" SHOP.

Auckland Star, Volume LXII, Issue 96, 24 April 1931, Page 9

"SLY GROG" SHOP.

KEEPER SENT TO GAOL.

"BIRTHDAY EVERY NIGHT,"

POLICE SURPRISE PARTY*

MEN AND WOMEN FINED.

As the result of a police raid on a boarding house at 137, Hobson Street, two men were charged in the Police Court this morning with dealing in "sly grog,"" and 11 with being found in a "sly grog" shop. The owner of the boarding house at 137, Hobson Street. Mark Borich, was sentenced to one month's imprisonment, Percy Bruguier, who was charged both with dealing in "sly grog'' and being on the premises, was fined £25, and the others were fined £2 or £1.-

Borich, who was represented by Mr. Schramm, pleaded not guilty.

Detective-Sergeant Kelly, who prosecuted, said that on March 21 two constables went to Borich's house to buy liquor. They were admitted by the back door and were supplied with eight bottles of beer at 1/ a bottle. Later in the evening the house was raided and a search of the rooms revealed 37 bottles of ale, 32 of stout, three of wine and a gallon keg of beer. There were also 22 empty bottles in the house. Fourteen men and two women were found there. The conduct of the men and women, said Mr. Kelly, was generally low. The house had been under observation for some time and drunken and women had been seen leaving the premises. The story of the visit to the house was given by Constables Stewart and Agnew. The latter, in answer to Mr. Schramm, denied that they had taken liquor to the house themselves. „ , Party in Bedroom. Sergeant Brenchley described the raid. Defendant at first denied that he had liquor on the place, and it was ien minutes before the police found the quantity stated in his bedroom. Mr. Schramm: Did you know that a birthday party was in progress?— From my observation I should say they have been having birthday parties every night for some time.

Corroborative evidence was given by Senior-Sergeant Flanagan, wlio said that in one room there were 14 men and two women. After the names of those present had been taken and the liquor seized, Borich made a statement which the sergeant read to the Court.

The statement read: "I am heavily in debt and I have sold only about eight dozen bottles per week for the last two months. I sold liquor to-night to two men who said they were going to the speedway." The statement was signed by Borich. The two men, said the sergeant, "were the two constables, whom he had told to state that they were going to the speedway. 'statement Retracted. Although his counsel did not wish to put him in the witness box, Borich insisted on giving evidence. In a very excited manner, he stated: "The evidence given by the constables is not true. True to my God, I never sold beer to them. March 21 was my wife's birthday and I bought a quantity of beer to entertain friends and the boarders. Two men came in and I aaked them if they would like to have a drink and gave them two bottles of beer. Just before they left I gave them another four bottles." Regarding the statement which, he made to the senior sergeant, Borich said he was very excited and confused by the presence of so many police, and did not know what he was doing. "That will do," said Mr. F. K. Hunt, S.M. "I do not want to hear any more lies." Mr. Hunt then imposed the sentence of one month's imprisonment on Borich. Similar evidence was given regarding the case against Percy Brugnier, who pleaded guilty to the "charge of selling liquor without a license. Bruguier was fined £25, in default three months' imprisonment. Those who were fined £2 and costs were: Thomas Devane, Clyde Curtis, Harold Craneh, Patrick Carroll. Donald McGregor, Norman Fred Drew, Har Bans Singh and Robert- Walker. Charles Percy Piper, Katherine Oliver and Elsie Logan were each fined: £1 and costs.