LIQUOR SEIZED

Dominion, Volume 33, Issue 283, 24 August 1940, Page 4

LIQUOR SEIZED

Raid On Boarding-house In Auckland PROPRIETOR FINED (By Tclvyt-npli—Press Associhi ion.) AUCKLAND, August 23. A police raid on a boarding-house in Federal Street in the city on July 20 was described in the Magistrates’ Court when the Dalmatian proprietor, Bartual Martinovich, denied four charges of selling liquor Yvithout a licence. Senior-Sergeant Joyce, who conducted the raid, said there were about 20 persons, including women, in the commercial room.. A number were cousinning liquor. Defendant denied selling liquor to anyone. He took the police to the telephone room, where there was a case containing- SI pint bottles of stout. He said his wife was not well, and had been ordered to drink stout. Two eases, each containing 20 dozen ejnpty beer bottles, were found iu the yard. “Defendant sajjd he had used all the beer in a fortnight, shouting for friends,” witness added. Evidence was given that deliveries were made of 324 dozen pint bottles of beer iu May, 337 dozen iu June, and 229 dozen in July. Defendant denied selling liquor. He said he bought large quantities to supply members of the Federal Club, a Dalmatian patriotic organization with its headquarters at his house. On the night of the raid he “shouted” for visitors to celebrate the sinking of an Italian warship by an Australian cruiser. Cross-examined, defendant said the club was not incorporated, an'd he acted as the only officer. Defendant’s wife said she Yvas ordered in February to drink stout night and morning for medicinal purposes. Convicting defendant, Mr. Orr YValker, S.M., said his story was too difficult to believe. He maintained that: he tvas a club, an'd ordered 10,000 bottles of beer in less than three months, and passed them on to members and friends. . Technically he was in error doing that. Defendant was fined £5O and costs. The liquor seized was ordered to be confiscated.