A BLACK BLOT.

NZ Truth, Issue 106, 29 June 1907, Page 6

A BLACK BLOT.

A-Colombo-Street^Ben.

K Ts • ri'shop ami' 'dwelling .m; Colombo-street, Christchurchv which may. 'T>3 described as a black Wot, one ' of the too ■ many "blots that exist m the • place.; It is not unatfcrac--ttive-lobking m front, T>ut the rear ■'premises are m- an unspeakable, alunost indescribable state.- The shop •was opened about 5. or 6 months ago .as the '■' Albert Tea Rooms,"- and it notified that refreshments and soft tack as well as confectionery were on sale .-.there .r The sign on the window' was of a rather elaborate nature, but . what ki*d! of muck was doled out inside writer doesn't know.. Perhaps none was : ever served, < A as the place wasn't enticing enougli to draw reputable customers. It soon bscame to be known as a sly-grog shop, and the police' at- once CAST '■.& FRIENDLY EYE m its direction eviery time : t<hey. passed -by., The characters that- frequented it didn't seem to hold a;bigh ! tation m society, hut it was difficult for the officers to obtain admission and catch the proprietor redhanded. On Sunday night last, : however, Sub-Inspector Dwyer, Sergeant Johnston, and Acting 'Tec Gibson sallied forth on mischief tent. They .wanted a drink. They stealthily approached . the . rear of the premises and sh,ot-<themselves m torpedo fashion.. It wa« quite a surprise for the inmates, who didn't expect visitors to call m m such a decidedly unceremonious fashion- However,, the coppers quickly handed over their visiting cards,; and produced a search warrant,- an<d laid hands on things m quite an unusual way. They arrested Edward Deller, who runs the aboosc, ' and also one Michael. Fogrty and dropped them along at the ■Police Satation. There were; ten persons m all m the room, >but the police could only take the two who weso alleged to be engaged Helling liquor. There were a. number of beds visible, and the other men likely had arranged to occupy them. A few big jars were found on the premises ; they probably had been used for pickles or some other table condiment, but" THE FINGER OF SUSPICION points to them having contairaefl beer. Howeve-r, tha'. don't matter; they were yanked to the police station together with some spirits that had presumably been serving, for a convivial time. Those back rooms were m a far worse condition than any Chinaman's, and that is saying a great deal, besides paying a compliment to the accursed Chow. It was. covered with filth whicfo seemetl to lay inches doep on the floor. When that place was last- swept must be left to the imagination, a scrubbing brush it certainly has never seen for » months. The blankets and sheets on the teds were of most; uncertain color ; they mr.y have been anything, but they pepmed ho have

never seen, a waste ,tiib. : Everything j was <lirty. jt the atmospliere was 1 fpetidi, aM -nothing m the shape of J a iwelling room lor human beings \ would equal it m Ohristchurch. At least writer 'hopes not, and there are ! some -damirably <lirty holes m Christohu'roli. It was disi,s;r-aceJul ; pigs j wouldn't live m it. The only time I it saw a woman was when it was j Visited by. womoirof dubious virtue, j On the Monday morning Edward ; Deller,, who ran the dirty miuclc-sliop,. > appeared 'before Mr ©ay,. S.M., w-hen.; he- 'had to face two charges- He .was ■ accused at the outset of illegally sell : ing whisky (to one Sydney Shackle, ' not being m the licensed victualler's business. ,Th-en he was charged with being an idle and disorderly person,' m .ithat lie was the occupier of a house which was visited by reputed •thieves and persons having no lawful ■VISIBLE MEANS OF SUPPORT, j .The -accused!, who .pleaded not guilty .to iboth charges,,; was represented by Mr Cassidy-Sub-Inspector Dwyer applied for a remaad until Saturday morning, and this was granted. Bail was applied lor' by counsel,.' an-d the Sub-Inspect-or asked that it be made substantial.. Mr Cassidy urged that it sli'ould not be' ' mads prohibitive, whereupon the Sub remarked I&at Deller ha<d threatened, that if he was caught at the sly-grogging game 'bs, would do j a\'get. I Counsel asked that evidence be pro [ 'dueed that such a, threat had fcbert made. '■ .-. Eventually, bail was fixed at £100. Michael -Fogarty, who was also a^ rested by the police minions ,v is ' stout little chap who looked nice a-ndi comfortable m a long overcoat He was charged with being on Del-: ler's premiises illegally assisting inthe sale of liquor. He was further accused of being- an idle and disorderly person, inasmuch as 'he consort ed with reputed -thieves. Mr Cassidy appeared for him 'also, and his case will be heard this Saturday, too, similar bail being allowed. There was a good crowd m court to hear how the pair would fare. Where ,clp all these idle people spring- from.'.':'at' such short notice, anyway ? »■'"