LIQUOR AT NIGHT CLUB

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22259, 11 May 1934, Page 9

LIQUOR AT NIGHT CLUB

CHARGES AGAINST PROPRIETOR MAGISTRATE RESERVES DECISION, s - (Peb United. Press Association.) CHRISTCHURCH, May 10. " What we say, without any reflection on; the defendant,.is that this does serious public mischief by encouraging drinking among young women," said Senior Sergeant Fox, when prosecutions were brought against Douglas Palmer. Claridge, proprietor of Claridge's Country Club, 207 New Brighton road. Claridge was charged that,.,being the proprietor of Claridge's Country Club, he permittted liquor to be drunk at a time when licensed premises were required to be closed, and also with keeping open on a' Sunday, a house known as Claridge's Country Club for the purpose of transacting business. < The senior sergeant said that Claridge stated that the club had a membership approaching 250, the majority of whom were well known and all respectable. Members and male visitors were permitted to bring liquor, and : they took full advantage of the fact. Following complaints, two young constables were sent to the club. They were there several times, but did not see any evidence of toe sale of liquor or any sign of misconduct, other than drinking by women, old and young. On_ the constables' last visit both were questioned by the defendant as to what they were doing there. He told them • of the system followed, and the steps taken for the conduct of the place. Senior Sergeant Fox put in a statement made by the defendant, in which the system under which the premises were conducted was • explained. The defendant stated that membership was limited by a committee of six. There was an annual membership fee of ss, above which there were other charges. '■'•-. Constable Grant said he 'visited the club on February 24, accompanied by his partner and Constable o'Halloran aijd partner. It was a Saturday night. They arrived at 11 p.m., and bought two tickets (costing 10s) from an attendant -at the door. Witness went, upstairs'to the bar with his partner. There, and in the lounges, he saw men and women drinking. There were women at the bar as well as men. Bottles, labelled with the names of their owners, %vere kept on shelves behind the bar. "There was a barman known as' Peter,'" witness said. He saw money change hands, but could not see whether it was for cordials or for alcohol. Witness asked for two wines, which he received. He offered payment for the wine, but the barman refused it. The senior sergeant: Did you drink the wine? -

Witness: My partner poured hers out of the window, and as T drink alcohol only when required to do so in the execution of my duty, I drank only a little of mine and poured the rest . away. — (Laughter.) The defence was that the club was a private one to which many prominent citizens of Christchurch belonged; that it could not be classed as a public cabaret or public restaurant; and that before it had been formed the whole plan of working had been placed before the police and approved. For the defence, Mr Claridge described the method of conducting the club. Colin Flint, a taxi driver, said he had often driven people to Claridge's who were refused admission because they were not members.

Peter James Harris said it was His duty to look after members' liquor, at the club. He had never sold liquor to anyone. The magistrate reserved his decision.