"SLY-GROG" RAID

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21248, 30 July 1932, Page 11

"SLY-GROG" RAID

POLICE AS RELIEF WORKERS LIQUOR AT DOMINION ROAD FINE OF £25 ON FRUITERER Charges of failing to make a statorneiifc before taking liquor into 11 ic nolicence district of Eden, keeping liquor for salo without a licence, and selling liquor in a no-licence area, were preferred against William Ilesketh, fruiterer, of 473 Doniimon Road, in the Police Court yesterday, before Mr, W. 1?,. McKean, S.M. The second charge was later withdrawn, and accused admitted the others. Detective-Sergeant. Kelly said following complaints that Ilesketh was operating a "slv-grog" shop, a constable went to his shop and bought two bottles of "home brew" at 6d a bottle, lie also bought four bottles to take away, and two were submitted to the Government analyst. It was found that they contained 11.18 per cent proof spirit, which was about 3.5 per cent more than in liquor sold at hotels. The premises were searched on June 18, when 12 bottles of "home brew," 34 bottles of alo and a number of empty bottles, were found. Between December 4 and June 17 accused had received 36£ dozen bottles of beer and stout and four bottles of wine from ono firm, and between December 12 and June 4 he had received 26 dozen bottle of stout and five bottles of whisky from another firm. He did his own carrying, and as ho gave his address as the City Markets, the firms were not aware he was taking the liquor into a no-licence district. Counsel said accused, a fruiterer, was a perfectly respectable man. In spite of the number of bottles found, his sales had not been substantial. The success of the raid reflected ability on tho ingenuity of the police, and on their histrionic ability. They came arrayed as relief workers, fresh from a swamp, with muddy clothes, and told a "hard-luck" story. They also tried to get accused to lay in a quantity of liquor for tho day on which the raid was made. lie refused, however, and the quantity found was not considerable. On the charge of selling, accused was fined £25, and ho was also convicted and fined £2 for failing to make a statement. 'At the time of the raid, a man was found on the premises having a giass of whisky," Mr. Kelly added. "Ho said he had just come from a funeral, and was cold." Alfred Hall Skelton was charged with being found without lawful excuse on unlicensed premises at 473 Dominion Road, for the purpose of dealing in liquor. Counsel said accused was out of town. The offence was a highly technical one, only applicable to a no-licence area. The hearing was adjourned until August 5.