“ENROLLING MEMBERS”

New Zealand Times, Volume XLVII, Issue 10811, 29 January 1921, Page 7

“ENROLLING MEMBERS”

TOWN HALL EPISODE WATERSIDE ATHLETIC CLUB’S PROPOSITION. NOT WITHIN THE LAW. A somewhat unusual case was called on at the Magistrate’s Court yesterday, when Tom Wardell Stevenson, secretary of the Waterside Workers’ Athletic Club, was charged, before Mr F. K. Hunt, S.M., with promoting a boxing contest without first having obtained a permit from the Inspector of Police. The proceedings arose out of a gymnastic display recently .held by the club at the Town Hall. Air A. B. Sievwright appeared for the defendant. AT REDUCED RENT. Evidence was called for the Crown to show that the Town Hall had been let to the club at a reduced rate, as it was understood that tho building was to be open to the public. A- constable deposed that He obtained a ticket at Ned Perry’s tobacconist shop for 2s 6d. Sergeant Butler said that am official of the club stood at the door of the hall and issued tickets at. 2s 6d, and at the same time entered the names of the buyers in a book. At 8.30 p.m. the doors were opened to the public. Mi: Ned Perry said the defendant had asked him to sell the tickets, but he did not remember anything having been said about filling them in as membership cards. Mr Sievwright: _ You know that a man who buys a ticket and filla it in becomes a member of the club?—J know nothing about that. Superintendent Norwood stated that the defendant had called upon him, and had asked if it was necessary for the club to. obtain a permit, explaining that no charge was to be made for admission, and that no prizes were to be offered. Witness informed him that in those circumstances no permit would be necessary. . , “Apparently the club evolved this scheme in order to obtain the hall at a reduced rate, a difference of £7 75,” remarked Mr-Hunt. “You cannot me that these men became members by paying 2s 6dl” “They had to produce their tickets,” replied Mr Sievwright. “They had to produce their halfcrown. The ticket sold to the constable has no name on it.” FOR THE DEFENCE. The defence was that there was no sale of tickets. It was contended that those, persona who paid 2s 6d did so with the. object of becoming members of the club. Stevenson, on oath, deposed that he had expressly asked Perry to- see that the cards- sold were filled in. At 8.30 he had ordered the doors to be .opened, as he believed all the members were inside. In reply to Sub-Inspector Willis, the defendant said that members wore required to produce their cards at the clubhouse and to pay four weeks’ dues (4s), otherwise they were not accounted financial members. “Is anyone admitted?” queried tho magistrate. ‘*Yes. We then decide if he is desirable or otherwise. If the latter,' we have the right to return the money paid and strike the person in question off tho membership list.” _ , Su'b-Inspector Willis: “I suppose the two constables who bought tickets are members?” “No. They are not financial.’ SIDE-STOPPING 'SUBTERFUGE. Mr Hunt said he was quite satisfied the club had resorted to a subterfuge to side-step the law, and evidently thought it had succeeded. The evening had np doubt been properly conducted,' and no harm had been done, hut a breach of the law had been committed. He thought if the defendant paid costs amounting to 11s the ends of.justice would be met. In future the club Would either have to eliminate bpxing displays from its programmes, or would have to go through the formalities necessary to obtain a permit.