RAID BY POLICE

Auckland Star, Volume LXXIV, Issue 31, 6 February 1943, Page 6

RAID BY POLICE

PARTY INTERRUPTED SLY QROG SELLING CASE "Once we submit evidence constituting suspicion nf a breach of the regulations, the burden of proving his innocence is on the defendant,' said Mr. Cleal, appearing for the Crown when Reginald Joseph Parfitt, aged 32 (Mr. Henry) stood trial before Mr. Justice Callan and 7 jury in the Court yesterday on a charge of sly grog selling. Police evidence was given of a visit made to the premises at 84a, Shortland Street on the evening of December 24, and the purchase of four bottles of beer at 2/6 each by a constable in plain clothes, and of the seizure of 184 full quart bottles of beer, 40 empty beer bottles, five bottles of whisky, one bottle of gin and about 30 empty beer bottle cartons. It was testified that at the time of the raid 14 servicemen were on the premises, some with drinking glasses in front of them. Defendant denied that any money had been paid for four bottles of beer obtained by the constable, and said the liquor in the house was for a Christmas Eve party, which was in progress when the police arrived. He let rooms to American servicemen and had 14 dozen bottles of beer and two dozen bottles of wine for their party. He did not sell any of it. The four bottles were given to the constable because he looked ill and said he had worked too late to get any beer in an hotel The jury returned a verdict of guilty, and accused was remanded j till Tuesday for sentence.