SLY GROG-SELLING.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20868, 9 May 1931, Page 11

SLY GROG-SELLING.

PRISON FOR OFFENDER.

SENTENCE OF • SIX MONTHS. "A PEST IN THE CITY." "There is nothing to be said for this man," said Mr. F. K. Hunt, S.M., in the Polico Court yesterday, when William Buckley (Mr. Aekins) admitted two charges of selling liquor without a licence.

Detective-Sergeant Kelly said that on March 28. a constable called at accused's shop and bought a bottle of ale ->for Is. The next night he returned and bought two bottles. There were men and women on tho premises drinking liquor supplied by accused. A raid was carried out on April 4,» and the police discovered 16 bottles of ale, 16 of stout and 32 empty ale bottles on the premises. On April 22 tho shop was again visited by the police, who found two dozen bottles of ale.

"He is an habitual sly RroK-seller, and has eight previous convictions for similar offences," Mr. Kelly said.' Mr. Aekins said it was difficult to say anything for defendant. He would ask, however, that a fine be imposed, as Buckley was a delicate man and had a wife and two children to support. "The breweries ought to be prosecuted for supplying him, as they know perfectly what he is like," the magistrate said. "Ho is a pest in the city."

Accused was sentenced to six months' imprisonment.

THREE SHOPKEEPERS FINED.

SEQUELS TO POLICE VISITS

Three shopkeepers were fined in the Polico Court yesterday for selling liquor without a licence.

' The first defendant, Samuel Stevens (Mr. Aekins) pleaded guilty. 1 Detective-Sergeant Kelly said that defendant had been convicted of a similar offence 12 months ago. As a result of a recent raid a large quantity of liquor was found in the shop.

Mr. Aekins said that defendant had now left the premises. Defendant was fined £SO, in default three months' imprisonment. He was allowed 14 days to pay the fine. "This is a different case, as defendant retailed home-brewed liquor at 6d a bottle," said Mr. Moody, when Loonard Graham, shopkeeper, was similarly charged. Detective-Sergeant Kelly said a constable visited defendant's shop and purchased four bottles of home-brewed liquor, one of which ho drank jfcrn the premises. A raid was made later. Defendant had a good many customers. Defendant was fined £lO, in default one month's imprisonment.'He was allowed 14 days to pay. "It is possible that he has been getting the blame for the operations of his predecessor," the"- magistrate said when Charles Thomas Baker (Mr. McLiver) was charged with selling liquor without a licence. Defendant pleaded not guilty. Detective-Sergeant Kelly said that on April 2 a constable purchased a bottle of ale at defendant's shop and the next day bought two bottles. On April 4 a raid was made and two bottles of ale were found. Mr. McLiver said defendant had taken over the business only a week before the police made a visit. He had had a win at the races and gave a small party in celebration, purchasing the ale for the occasion.

Defendant was fined £5 and costs,

Three men found in shops raided were also charged. John Phillips and Thomas George Phillips were each fined £2, while Joseph Cunliffe was fined £1 and costs.