LIQUOR IN CABARET

New Zealand Times, Volume LIII, Issue 12507, 24 July 1926, Page 5

LIQUOR IN CABARET

POLICE PAY A VISIT WHAT A CONSTABLE SAW MAKING A NIGHT OF IT Per Press Association. AUCKLAND, July 23. As the result of visits to the Dixieland Cabaret at Point Chevalier by two constables in plain clothes, Dr F. J. Rayner, chairman of directors, was this morning charged with permitting liquor to be drunk in the restaurant at a time when licensed premises were required to be closed. The manager, Frederick William Prouting, was also charged with allowing liquor to be consumed. A constable stated that, in. company with another, ho went to Dixieland on May 4th. That night there was a charity ball there. . He had reserved a table and paid 7s 6d to get in, buteverything additional was charged for except the dancing. Part of the cabaret was set apart as cubicles, which contained tables, chairs, and in some cases settees. An extra charge was made for the cubicles. The appearance of the cabaret suggested that H was a restaurant. There were waitresses and waiters. Witness had supper. Mr Hunt: What did you have?— Salmon mayonnaise. That looked the most substantial item on the menu. (Laughter.) OFFERED A “SPOT” Continuing, witness said that wheu dancing commenced champagne, wine,

•.d whisky were openly displayed on he tables. He saw people drink liquor from glasses providcu; in fact, a waitress asked the witness if he desired a “spot.” As the evening wore on the majority began to show signs of having consumed liquor. Several young women could hardly support themselves, and were hanging on to their dancing partners’ necks; to use a common expression, they were “gone at the knees,” and many were behaving in a. disorderly manner. Witness knew that liqour was consumed, because lie saw the bottles with their labels and the contents in glasses left on the tables. He could plainly smell liquor on the dancers, and he also saw it opened and consumed. Liquor was undoubtedly carried in Witness saw none being supplied bv the cabaret. One young man took his coat off and looked for fight. There was no supervision, and no one seemed to be keeping order. Corroborative evidence was given by two other constables. Constable Spelma&f stationed at

Point Chevalier, said that on one particular Sunday lie estimated that 13,000 persons visited the cabaret. The City Council had sixteen motor-’buses running out there, while there were also thirty private ’buses in commission. Witness knew the manager, who had always been anxious for him to inspect the cabaret whenever he desired. It was very well conducted as a restaurant. The defendant, Dr Rayner, said the Dixieland Company was a private limited liability company, with paidup. capital of £25,000. The cabaret catered for the most reputable class of people. The magistrate: What’s that?—l should say the patrons of Dixieland are the elite of Auckland. The magistrate: Let me get that down. Witness said he bad never seen any objectionable behaviour at the cabaret. The magistrate: If I thought I might come to any ether conclusion I would give a reserved decision, but I do not think that Dixieland is a restaurant, for it is fitted with the usual requisites of a restaurant, a kitchen, canteen, etc., while there are also waiters and waitresses'. The only difference is that at night prices are charged for admission, while in the afternoon it is different. It may be true that dancing is the principal object. It is one of the most mischievous occupations for a business that I can conceive. In a big town with a tremendous population it might be different. I am going to inflict the maximum penalty on both Dr Rayner and the manager. Each will be fined £2O and costs. I say this, and until a possible appeal comes off, if anybody takes liquor into the cabaret and is brought up here they will be fined £5. Security for appeal was fixed at £lO 10s in each case.