NIGHT CLUB MANAGERS

Evening Star, Issue 25168, 6 May 1944, Page 10

NIGHT CLUB MANAGERS

CONSUMPTION OF LIQUOR PERMITTED FINES OF £2O IMPOSED V (P.A.) AUCKLAND, May 5.. A number of charges against the managers of four night clubs were heard by Mr ■T. H. Luxford, S.M., to-day. Several of them dealt with the question of licenses, and had been held over pending a recent reserved decision. In each case the charges were admitted. . The manager of the Rio Club in Karangahape road, Ernest Jame 6 Graham, admitted three charges of operating an unlicensed dance hall, one of holding a dance on a Sunday night without permission, and one of permitting liquor to be drunk in a dance hall.

In view of the fact that the licensing question had been dealt with in a decision he gave recently, said the Magistrate, and as the present charges related to incidents before that judgment was given, he would not inflict any penalty on the defendant on these counts. On the liquor charge it appeared that there had definitely been laxity. The penalty in these cases was all too small, and ' the maximum fine of £2O would be imposed. On the other charge relating to Sunday dancing, the maximum penalty of £2O would also be "imposed. Harry Devine, .owner.'.of r .the Silver Slipper Club, admitted three charges of operate ing an unlicensed dance hall-and charges of permitting his premises to be used as a resort for the consumption of - liquor, permitting liquor to be drunk in a dance hall, and permitting liquor 'to be dftmk in a restaurant. - ■

Sub-inspector Harley said it appeared that the defendant had connived at permitting liquor to be consumed. The police had raided the premises and seized a quantity of liquor. Patrons >were' charged '2s : 6d •for'the use of glasses. When the raid took place patrons were definitely showing, signs of over-indulgence in liquor, :•'•• _ - As the circumstances were similar to those in the previous case, the-defendaut was convicted:: and discharged on thtf licensing ' charge!.'':'". All : I can do is inflict the very small maximnni 'penalty' of £2O on the charge; of. allowing ';: liquor to be consumed' in a restaurant," said the Magistrate.' ,"The 'other charges relate to the one set of circumstances,- and so the defendant will be convicted and discharged on them. If, however, there is a Second offence he will be fined £50.". ..•