SLY GROG SELLERS

Greymouth Evening Star, 22 January 1944, Page 2

SLY GROG SELLERS

TWO WOMEN IMPRISONED

AUCKLAND, January 21. Stating that he could not make any distinction between men and women on sly-gfog charges, and that if women took risks the law would have to be enforced against them, Mr r. H. .Levien to-day sentenced two women to one month’s imprisonment for selling liquor without a license. Margaret Henderson, who pleaded «guilty, said she was single and. aged 26, and had three children of ago." ranging from 13 months to six years. She had been living with a man for nine years, but he had now left her, and she.was receiving no maintenance. She was caught selling wine to servicemen at £1 a bottle. The . other woman, Pearl Valentine

Hayward, also admitted the offence. Her husband was posted missing while serving in a submarine, she said. She had been merely obliging friends by buying whisky at £4 a bottle and selling it at the same price. Mr T. Henry said, defendant was a musician of ability who did a gooa deal of entertaining. She had acted as agent for friends who required liquor, and was not aware of the distinction between principal and agen ; . It was a technical offence and not a case of sly-grogging. Walter George'Hancock, aged 49. a manufacturing' confectioner, admitted keeping liquor for sale and was sentenced to one month’s imprisonment. The police said he wa:: buying whisky of local manufacture, which contained 77 per cent, of prom alcohol at £3 a bottle and selling it at £4 a bottle. The police seized a large number of quart bottles of th 1 ; spirit on his premises.