SLY GROG CASE.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVIII, Issue 108, 8 May 1937, Page 12

SLY GROG CASE.

GIRLS ON PREMISES. "SHOCKING," SAYS BENCH. The whole of yesterday afternoon was taken up in. the Police Court in the hearing of charges brought against two men, following a. raid made by "the police on sly grog premises at Stamford House, 57, Customs Street, on March 2 last, when 21 persons, including seven women and nine naval ratings, were found consuming liquor.

Boscelly Facoory, for whom Mr. E. J. Wright appeared, was charged with being the occupier of the premises who consented to the sale of liquor thereon, and also with aiding aifl assisting.' He pleaded not. guilty.

Charles H. Parker a week ago pieaded guilty to a charge of selling liquor without a license. Parker, for whom Mr. Spencer Mason appeared, was not dealt with until yesterday, the magistrate, Mr. C. R. Orr-Walker, stating that he would withhold punishment until he had dealt with Facoory.

In evidenee Facoory said he was a boot manufacturer and lived in Union Street. He was not on. the premises on February 25. He had no financial interest in the business which was carried on by Parker.

Charles Henry Parker gave evidence that he was the owner and occupier of the business. No one was in partnership with him, and Facoory did not finance him. Witness was running the business. "There is a question of identity involved in this case and Facoory has sworn he is not the man seen by the police," said the magistrate. I will dismiss the charges against Facoory without prejudice. I will allow the police to proceed again if they wish." The two informations against Facoory were dismissed.

Referring to Parker, for whom Mr. Spencer Mason appeared and pleaded guilty to a charge of selling liquor without a license, Mr. Orr-Walker said that a week ago when the case was heard he thought Parker was merely the servant, but now he found that he had been selling sly grog on a large scale. The magistrate added: "I shall take into consideration the fact that a number of people were found in the place, including young women of IS. That is a shocking thing. Here is a man who has a big business. All he is concerned in is making money out of young fellows and girls. He has set out to make m6ney. This matter of sly grogging seems prevalent. Something will have to be done about it. Why should this man not be fined the maximum T If he took out a liquor license he would have to pay £40 for it and he would not be allowed to sell to young people. This is a bad case under the section and I hope the penalty I am imposing will deter others from doing the same thing." Parker was fined £50 and was allowed two weeks in which to pay, the magistrate making it a condition that he report himself daily to the police.