LIQUOR AT CLUB SOCIAL

Greymouth Evening Star, 27 September 1930, Page 7

LIQUOR AT CLUB SOCIAL

IN NO-LICENSE DISTRICT INTERESTING TEST CASE [PER PRESS ASSOCIATION.] WELLINGTON, September 26. I The admissibility of liquqr at : a gathering held by the Athenian Club in the no-license district of South Wellington, was called into question, in the Police Court, to-day, when the Club was charged with selling liquor in a no.-license district. The defence raised was that the liquor had been provided by the host and hostess of the evening, whose property it. was. / Sub-Inspector Lopdell said that, the Athenian Club was a social organisation, which held a gathering once a fortnight in a hall at Kilbirnie. Ie had come to the knowledge of the police that tickets might be procured at certain places, and it was arranged for two constables to obtain tickets. Through the evening, refreshments were served, and liquor was given to those present. The constables were not members of the Club. Members of the public could go to the Club’s gatherings, without complying with the requirement that, such visitors should go with members of the Club, lit return for the charge of 5/-, there was dancing and supper, beer and wine also being served. The two constables who attended the gathering had been in no way guests, as defined by the Act.

Evidence was given on these lines. Mr. Perry, for the defence, said the tickets had been bought by two constables at S. S. Williams and Co. Mr. Williams was a member of the committee of the Club, and his shop "was one of the six depots where tickets could be obtained by members.. As a rule the committee made sure that a person introducing a visitor was a member. The police made no reflection on the conduct, of the Institution. The Club had been in existence for about three years, and had a. membership of 160. The procedure adopted was that a host and hostess were appointed for each function. They expended what, money they pleased on the particular evening, and in that respect they were made an allowance bv the Club. Whatever liquor was present at the Club functions, was not the property of the Club. On the night of August 27, the Club itself did not purchase any liquor, nor did it do so at any time. Members of the Club had been forbidden to bring liquor on the premises during Club gatherings. Any liquor provided, if at all, was provided by the host and hostess.

Evidence was given in support.

Fred Millet Sherwood, President of the Club, said under cross-examina-tion, that he could not remenfber when the host and hostess had not supplied liquor at a Club gathering. Sydney Frederick Bernard Tucker, Secretary of the Club, said the Club had never had a dry’ night.

Horatio Alexander Strangemuir, vice-President of the Club, who was host on the night of August 27 ; said that if anyone at the Club gatherings had three drinks, they had more than their share. He had spent £l3 15/on the entertainment that night, and towards that had received an allowance of £3 3/- from the Club. Decision was reserved.