SLY GROG.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIV, Issue 116, 19 May 1933, Page 8

SLY GROG.

"PLENTY OF KICK." RELIEF WORKER'S "HOME BREW." PURCHASE BY CONSTABLE. Charges of keeping liquor for sale in a no-license area and selling liquor •without a license, were brought against an elderly man, N. G. Curtain, on summons, in the Police Court this morning. Defendant, for whom Mr. Wright appeared, pleaded guilty. Detective-Sergeant McHugh said that as the result of complaints received, a constable went to defendant's place and purchased two bottles of home brew for which he paid 1/ each. Later a search warrant was executed at Curtain's bouse, and the police seized 64 bottles of the brew and 70 "empties." The beer on analysis showed that it was a little over 11 j\er cent proof spirit, which was much stronger than ordinary beer sold in hotels. "It certainly had plenty of kick in it," added Mr. McHugh.

Mr. Wright said Curtain was a labouring man. who had been used to having beer all his life. Some time ago he lost his employment after being with the one firm for 32 years, and he was at present a relief worker. He found that he could make four dozen bottles of home, brew for 2/6, and he put ft brew down. "1 submit that this is not the usual sly grog case," said counsel. "The constable went to Curtain and represented that he was known to a friend of Curtain's. He said he wanted a drink, and Curtain gave him one. The constable threw down 2/ on the table, but Curtain told him he did not want to be paid for it. The constable left with the beer and left the 2/ on the table." Mr. Wright said that "home brew" ■was usually put down in ten gallons at a time, so there was nothing unusual in the police finding a large quantity at his place when they raided it. The magistrate fined Curtain £20 on the first charge, and ordered him to pay ithe costs on the second. He was given until June 29 in which to pay his fine.