SLT GROG – SELLING AT PRESERVATION INLET.

Evening Star, Issue 10402, 25 August 1897, Page 2

SLT GROG - SELLING AT PRESERVATION INLET.

A STIFF FINE.

Evidence given at Invercargill on Monday in connection with a charge agairst Annie Fox of selling liquor to several parties at Cromarty during April, May, and June showed that sly grog-selling had been going on for a very considerable period. Accused had been convicted on five charges before, and although the penalty had been somewhat heavy it had no effect. The woman was carrying on the busiuess openly and in regular hotel style. Every boat took down barrels and cases of liquor for her, and she kept a barmaid, with a separate bar where she kept nothing but liquor. Food and lodging was provided in her other place—a boarding-house—arid these were charged for, in bills, as produce, but the drink was put down as "goodB," and she sold no goods other than drink. Mr Harvey, who appeared for the defendant, said he could not attempt to deny the evidence brought forward, but he pleaded for leniency because his client had & large family to support. Mr PoyntoD, S.M., said he waa sorry to have to inflict a heavy fine, but Mrs Foxliad been convicted several times before and fined once, and had taken no notice of the Court's warning, He was sorry there was a large family; the children would have to be •taken away. He could not recognise that plea in such a flagrant case, or every woman with a large family to provide for would think she might pursue the same trade with impunity. It was not desirable that children should be brought up with such surroundings and they would be better away. Mrs.Fox would be fined £IOO, in default six months' imprisonment with hard labor. Mulhaville, the barman, must have known he was assisting to carry on an illegal trade, and had lent himself to it. He would be fined £5 and costs. The liquor seized would also be forfeited..