THE SLY GROG CASE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLIV, Issue 13625, 19 December 1907, Page 6

THE SLY GROG CASE.

POLICEMEN AS BOARDERS. THE HOUSE IN GREY-STREET. Intehestino evidence was given yesterday at the Police Court, before Mr, C. C. Kettle, S.M., bearing on the recent raid on a boardinghotise in Grey-street. Alfred Crossey, or Crossley, was charged under eight informations with selling beer and whisky without a license, while the same defendant and his wife were charged under four additional counts with a similar offence. Sub-Inspector Gordon prosecuted, and Mr. J. R. Lundon defended, and pleaded not guilty for his clients. The facts of the prosecution, a* outlined by Sub-Inspector Gordon, were that the defendants recently purchased a boardinghouso in Grey-street. They were there only a short time, however, when the police found it necessary to instruct two constables to watch the house. Accordingly, two young constables proceeded to the house on Saturday evening, November 30, and secured board and residence. On tho Sunday morning, while the two constables (naturally in plain clothes, and not making their identity known) were sitting in the readingroom of the boardinghouse, Mrs. Crossley entered and asked if they desired anything to drink, as defendants kept liquor in the house and they could have it. They agreed to have some liquor, which was paid for. Sometime later Mi's. Crossiey again entered the readingroom and took them to one of the bedrooms, where the male defendant was stationed. There wa.b a largo amount of beer and whisky in the room. The two constables called for and had beet, and both the defendants had whisky. One of the constables paid the female defendant 2s, and'she put tine money in a pair of trousers hanging on the wall. Several drinks were obtained in this manner at intervals. On two occasions Mrs. Crossley shouted for the constables. His Worship: Are these boardinghouses registered? Sub-Inspector Gordon: I do not know whether they have a license or not. Mr. Lundon : There is a look-out station for the police on the back of the premises. (Laughter.) Sub-Inspector Gordon added that the constables went away to' - a day oi so, and on December 4 returned again," arriving at the house at nine o'clock at night. They suggested to the male defendant that he should go across with them to the hotel in Greystreet and have a drink. The defendant replied, "' If I go across to the hotel it will cost me 55." The Male Defendant: It is a lie! His Worship reprimanded the defendant, and ordered him to show cause at the conclusion of the case why he should not be committed for contempt, of Court. Sub-Inspector Gordon said that the defendants showed the way on the occasion of this visit to a cupboard, from which two l>ottles of beer wore taken. 'On December 8 a search warrant was issued and executed on the premise*. The police seized a fivegallon keg of beer, which had never been tapped, and also other liquor, while several men were found in a bedroom in an intoxicated condition. Mr. Gordon added that a person also called at the house in the course of the day. and secured two bottles of whisky, lor which he paid 10s each. The drinking went on at intervals over several days. Evidence was then given for the prosecution in support of the charges, by the two ooiiiiable-s unci also the sergeant in charge of the raid.

In defence, both defendant* denied that any sale of liquor ever took place. They admitted, however, that, they nad liquor on the premises, which was intended for a party, which was to be given when the boardinghouse was formally opened. On the evening of November 50 (Saturday), workmen, they stated, were engaged up till midnight in renovating the house. -Cliey denied that the constables were in the diningroom on that evening, as it was barrioulod off waiting for repairs to bo effected. They also denied that the constables were in the bedroom (where they said the liquor was served), but admitted that they ware in the house on Sunday, December 1, when "some music was given, but no liquor." At 7.30 p.m. the case was adjourned until nine o clock this morning.