BUNGALOW RAIDED

Evening Star, Issue 18717, 20 August 1924, Page 12

BUNGALOW RAIDED

WINE AND SPIRITS SEIZED. ALLEGED TO RESORT. Following tho decision of Inspector Hood, of the Licensing Branch, to pay particular attention to sly _ grog-sellers operating in fashionable localities, a sensational raid was made late on Saturday night (says the Melbourne ‘Ago’ of July 28) by a posse of licensing police on an alleged sly grog bungalow situated on Brighton road, St. Kilda. As a result of the unexpected' visit of the police quantities of wine, whisky, and gin were seized, and tho alleged occupier of _ the house was arrested and taken to St. Kilda watchhouse, where ho was charged with sly grog-selling. 'For some time past complaints have been received from residents of the locality regarding the conduct of a certain house in the vicinity. At all hours of the night and morning parties of men and women have been seen to draw up in front of the bungalow in fashionable motor cars and walk inside. Sounds of music and dancing were heard, and-at-frequent intervals, it has'been stated, the visitors would emerge from tho dwelling more nr less intoxicated in condition. Two smart young licensing constables were detailed to make inquiries into the matter. Several times they contrived to gain admittance to the house, and thus 'were able to observe what was going on inside! This information they commnnii rated to the authorities, the result being that tho raid was arranged. Early on Saturday evening (July 26) tho two young special constables, immaculately attired in evening dress, and accompanied by two 'fashionably-dressed women, pulled up nut• , side the house in a taxi-cab. On account : of their previous visits they were not re- ; garded with any suspicion by the conductors of the sly grog-house, who believed i them, to be sons of a wealthy Warniam- | bool scatter. Each constable bad been supplied with a- wad of bank notes, and j to add verisimilitude to their inipersonai tion of “ young bloods,” they made an ■ ostentatious display of their wealth. After they were served with drink, it, is alleged they joined in the dancing to fill in the time until the hour at which it bad been arranged tho police should raid the establishment. When the merriment, was at its height the police officers, headed by Senior Constable Loveridge, chief licensing officer, made a dramatic appearance. The music, a soft Oriental jazz tune, abruptly ceased, and those in the room scattered in all directions. Amongst those who showed most eagerness to escape a bank manager is said to have been prominent. After seizing the liquor, the police questioned a man who is understood to be the occupant of the bungalow, In his own car, a. large Hudson touring machine, hs.drove the police to St, Kilda watchhouse. Later John H. Jenkins, ■ proprietor of the Ritz motor service, Brighton road, St. Kilda, was charged' with sly grog-sell-ing.