LICENSING ACT.

Press, Volume LXVI, Issue 20045, 29 September 1930, Page 6

LICENSING ACT.

INFRINGEMENT DENIED. REFRESHMENT AT CLUB GATHERING. (f22SS ASSOCIATION TELEGBAM.) "WELLINGTON, September 27. The admissibility of liquor at a gathering held by the Athenian Club in the no-license district of South Wellington was called into question in the Magistrate's Court, when the club was charged with selling liquor in a no-license district. The defence raised was that the liquor had been provided by the host and hostess of the evening, whoße property it was. Decision was reserved. Sub-Inspector LopdeJl said the Athenian Club was a social organisa-. tion, which held a gathering once a fortnight in a hall at Kilbirnie. It had come to the knowledge of the police that tickets might be procured at certain places, and it was arranged for two constables to obtain tickets. Through the evening refreshments were served, and liquor was given to those present. The constables were not members of the club. Members of the public could go to the club's gatherings without complying with the requirement that such visitors should go with members of the club. In return for the charge of 5s there was dancing and supper, beer and wine also being

3erved. The two constables who attended. the gathering had been in no way guests as defined by the Act. .Mr Perry, for. the defence, said tickets had been bought by two constables at the shop of S. S. Williams and Co. Mr Williams was a member of the committee of the club, and his shop was one of the six depots where tickets oould be obtained by members. As a rule the committee made sure that the person introducing a visitor was a member. The police made no reflection on the conduct of the institution. The 'club had been in existence for about three years, and had a membership of 160. The procedure adopted by the club was that a host and hostess were appointed for each fuhction. They expended what money they pleased on the particular evening ana in that respect they were made an allowance by the club. Whatever liquor was present at the club functions was not the property of the club. On the night of August 27th the club itself did not purchase any liquor, nor did it do so at any time. Members of the club had been forbidden to bring liquor on the premises during the club gatherings. Any liquor provided, if at all, was provided by the host and hostess. Fred Millet Sherwood, president of the club, said under cross-examination that he could not remember when the host and hostess had not supplied liquor, at a club gathering. Sydney Frederick Bernard Tucker, secretary of the club, said the club had never had a "dry" night. . Horatio Alexander Strangemuir, vice-president of the club, who was host on the night ol : August 27th, said if anyone at the club gatherings had three drinks they had more than their share. He had spent £l3 15s on entertainment that night, and toward that he had received an allowance of £3 3s > from the club. Decision was reserved.