MAXIMUM PENALTY

Evening Post, Volume CXX, Issue 138, 7 December 1935, Page 13

MAXIMUM PENALTY

SLY GROG SELLER FINED £50

POLICE ALLEGATIONS

(By Telegraph—Press Association.) \ AUCKLAND, December 6. "These premises have for a long time been notorious for sly-grog selling," said Sub-Inspector Scott in the Magistrate's Court when Roy McGregor was charged on three counts of selling liquor in the Persian Garden Restaurant in Swansoh Street. The defendant, who was represented by Mr. Dickson, admitted two of the charges, and on the third the police offered no' evidence. The sub-inspector described police visits to the premises. On October 2 a constable in plain clothes visited the premises at night and purchased eight bottles of ale from the defendant. A similar quantity was obtained the following night. On October 5 three sergeants and two constables executed a search warrant and found 118 pint bottles of beer, a bottle of whisky, and a bottle of gin. There were also about 135 empty liquor bottles. About 30 people were in the dining-room, a number of them being under the influence of liquor. "We have had a careful check on these premises for a long period," added Sub-Inspector Scott. "It is frequented principally by seamen and women and girls of low class. It is the worst drinking, gambling, and prostitution den I have encountered." Counsel: I challenge you to prove those statements. "This dirty, disgusting, sly-grog shop has received special police attention, and I ask that an extremely smart lesson should be administered," added Mr. Scott. * "The sub-inspector's statements are given the direct lie by the defendant," said counsel. 'VHe read the prepared statement, and I challenge him to prove his allegations concerning gambling and prostitution. I am amazed at these extraordinary and extravagant statements." "I have to fix the penalty purely on the basis of sly-grog 'selling, not for gambling or prostitution," said the Magistrate, Mr. W. R. McKean. "There is very little to be said in mitigation of an offence of this sort. The maximum fine is £50, and I can see no reson for making it less. The defendant is fined £50."