CHARGES DENIED

Auckland Star, Volume LXXIV, Issue 302, 21 December 1943, Page 4

CHARGES DENIED

COUPLE IN COURT VICTORIA STREET PREMISES The hearing of the charges brought against the Yugoslav couple, Andrew Ted Yovich (51), and his wife, Eva Yovich (39), was continued to-day in the Police Court, before Mr. J. H. Luxford, S.M. As a result of a raid made by police on premises occupied by the accused at 43a, Victoria Street. on December 11, Yovich was charged with keeping a house of ill fame, keeping liquor for sale, and keeping the premises as a place of resort for the consumption of intoxicating liquor, while his wife was charged with assisting in the management of a house of ill fame, keeping liquor for sale and selling liquor without a license. To-day, Mr. Steadman, who appeared for the accused, opened the case for the defence and called the male accused. Counsel said both accused would give evidence in rebuttal of that tendered by witnesses for the prosecution yesterday. They would also deny that liquor was either kept for sale or sold and that the premises were used as a house of ill fame. Mr. Steadman said the male accused arrived in New Zealand in the early nineties and worked hard on the gumfields and in the bush. Later he acquired a farm near Whangarei. and in July last, on the advice of his doctor, he leased the farm to sharemilkers and bought the property in Victoria Street. There he let rooms -and conducted a shop. On seyeral occasions Yovich had complained to both the police and shore patrol about servicemen coining to his place and to the police about women taking men to their rooms at night. Pension Of £4 Week In evidence Andrew Yovich said he never let rooms for a shorter period than one week, and that he imposed strict conditions upon those who took rooms. He kept control over visitors, and on many occasions Mrs. Yovich locked girl's out. Cross-examined by Senior-Ser-geant Munro, the accused, Andrew Yovich, said he Avas receiving £1 a week invalidity pension from the Social Security Department. Mr. Luxford: And you are the owner of the building in Victoria Street and also own the farm which you have got leased?— Yes. But I have not got anything from the farm since I left it. How long have you been receiving £4 a week from the Social Security Department?— Some time last year. (Proceeding)