CONDUCT OF PRIVATE HOTEL

Press, Volume LXXIX, Issue 23915, 6 April 1943, Page 3

CONDUCT OF PRIVATE HOTEL

USE AS BROTHEL ALLEGED (P.A.) WELLINGTON, April 5. The conduct of the Balmoral Private Hotel, in Courtenay Place, by Sarah Anne Vangioni, aged 54, was investigated by Mr W. F. Stilwell, S.M., in the Magistrate’s Court to-day, when Vangioni was charged with permitting the hotel to be used as a house of ill fame. She pleaded not guilty. For the police it was stated that 13 witnesses would be called to give evidence that the premises had been used by servicemen and others for immoral purposes. Evidence would be given that the defendant was warned by the police of the manner in which the business was being conducted in January last. Police evidence was that when the hotel was watched from March 9 to March 13 there was a continual stream of servicemen and women entering and leaving the premises. The raid on March 13 was made in collaboration with American marine police. The licensee of a neighbouring hotel said that he had complained to the police about the conduct in the Balmoral Hotel. There was no improvement after the complaint till the raid was made. Marine police gave evidence of conditions seen in the hotel during visits. Phoebe Manawatu told of booking servicemen into the hotel. She said that under Vangioni’s instructions she frequently booked different couples into one room on the same night. The Court adjourned at 9 p.m. till to-morrow.