LIQUOR IN CLUBS

Auckland Star, Volume LXXVI, Issue 152, 29 June 1945, Page 6

LIQUOR IN CLUBS

POLICE ALLEGE SALES

S.M. RESERVES DECISION

"The whole question is whether these clubs, in dealing with liquor under our present laws as constituted 60 or more years ago, have committed an offence. There is no doubt that these clubs are fulfilling a very useful purpose." So said Mr. J. H. Luxford, S.M., in the Police Court this morning when prosecutions were brought by the police against several social clubs under the Licensing Act. ■ . Charges of selling liquor without a license and keeping liquor for sale were brought against the Auckland Watersiders' Silver Band, Incorporated, and the United Club, Incorporated, while Alfred Arthur Fletcher Brown, secretary of the Central Sportsmen's Club, was also similarly charged. Dr. A. M. Finlay appeared for the Auckland Watersiders' Silver Band and the defendant Brown, while Mr. Trevor Henry represented the United Club. In all cases a plea of not guilty was entered. ' Evidence was called showing the quantity of beer supplied by brewery firms, the usual procedure being that the secretary or other club official first obtained individual orders from members and combined them when placing the order with the firm supplying the liquor. In each case the police found the locker system in use at the clubs. Counsel submitted there was no proof of any offence of selling or keeping liquor for sale, and quoted legal authorities in support of their contentions.

' In reserving his decision in all cases, the magistrate referred to a similar prosecution recently brought against the All Golds Club, and said that when he delivered his reserved judgment he would deal fully with the system of supplying members of clubs with liquor, and decide whether or not it was illegal. "Clubs can provide amenities for members so long as they keep within the law and do not make a sale of liquor," added Mr. Luxford.