SLY GROG-SELLING.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LV, Issue 16816, 5 April 1918, Page 6

SLY GROG-SELLING.

MAN FINED TOTAL OF £35. OFFENCE AT ./^ E '|.. ; BAY.. Tire hearing of the two charges against Samuel D. Chiles (Mr. Pollen), proprietor of Kia Ora Board in at Arklea Bay, of selling liquor without a licence. was resumed in the Police Court before Mr. Wyvera Wilson, yesterday. Constable Booth deposed to visiting the house on March 3 and buying liquor from defendant. A list was put in by the sub-inspector, showing, that the defendant, between December 14 and February 27, purchased 10 gallons of whisky and 111 dozen pint bottles 'of beer. This averaged one gallon and a-half of whisky and 174 P 1 " 1 * of beer a day. The list was admitted by the defence? ' ■ Defendant said he did not remember seeing Ratcliffe on February 9, and he did not meet him until March 3. Witness denied selling a drink to Ratcliffe on February 9. Witness had a staff of 10, who, having worked ill hotelo. were used to having liquor given, them, and witness made a practice of giving them liquor each day. He also gave his guests liquor. Witness accounted lor the empty bottles found about the place by saying that after a picnic party had vinited Arkle's Bay it •was an, easy matter to collect two cases of empty bottles from under the trees and about the beach. He regarded giving liquor to gueßts as a method of advertising. Witness denied selling liquor on either date to either Ratcliffo or the constable. On March 3 witness saw Ratcliffe on th* boat going to Arkle's, Bay, and later near Kia Ora with Constable, Booth; He asked for a drinLand wit- 1 ness promised him one later. While witness was playing tennis Ratcliffe kept on suggesting a drink, and later witness gave hini and Booth liquor. Witness thought Booth and Ratcliffe had had lunch at his house, and when Booth gave him £1 and witness returned 17s ho was under the impression that Booth was paying for larch for himself and Ratcliffe. Witness had told Ratcliffe he did not sell liquor. Cross-examined: The staff consisted of two males and seven females. The staff and guests would consumo about one gallon and a-half of whisky a day. It was not customary for each person having a meal to pay immediately. Sub-Inspector Wohlman. said there was no doubt that the defendant was "doing a roaring trade," and thought it worth while to take chances openly. He pointed out that licensees of: hotels had many difficulties, one of which was this illicit trade.

The magistrate said the whisky alone meant that defendant) was spending £20 to £30 for his staff and guests in about ten weeks. To ask the Court to believe that he spent that much as an advertisement was imposing on credulity too much. With the present high rate of living, and only la 6d charged for meals he could rot believe that defendant • could afford -to give away that quantity of liquor. It was evident there had been fairly systematic sales, and be was disposed to'think it had been going on for come time. As defendant hid a dean record, ho would not be fined the' maximum, but the penalty had to bo substantial. Defendant would be fined £10 on the first charge, and £25 and 31s costs on the second charge.