"HARD-UP BALL”

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23885, 12 August 1939, Page 5

"HARD-UP BALL”

BREACH OF LAW COMMITTED AUCKLAND COMMERCIAL TRAVELLERS PRESIDENT FINED £ls fPER United Press Association; AUCKLAND. Aug. 11. The sequel to the “ hard-up ” ball in the Town Hall on Wednesday, July 19, was the appearance of the president of the Auckland Commercial Travellers and Warehousemen's Association, Phillip Colin Mqir, in the Police Court to-day, when he. pleaded guilty to a charge of selling liquor without a licence. The court room was crowded.

Sub-inspector Pender said the price for a double ticket was approximately 7s. A patron could purchase in the hall a saveloy, a pie. a hotdog, or other eatables for 6d or Is, when the barman or steward would supply a glass of beer with the purchase. . “We have evidence of a number of such Sales,” said the sub-inspector. “The commercial travellers purchased the beer and served it out with small purchases. The defendant, as president ,of the organisation, was in charge of the organisation " He added that for such an offence a penalty of £SO or one month’s imprisonment with hard labour was provided. The defendant had not been previously convicted. Mr A. K. North, who represented the defendant, said the charge had arisen through gossip and wild rumour, all apparently baseless. It was apparent that somebody's head had to be offered, and it was the president’s head. He did not, however, sell ; the liquor himself. The commercial travllers organised the ball ,at the request of the Auckland Centennial Committee. They genuinely thought that by giving away beer they were not committing an offence. The success of the ball exceeded the wildest dreams, 3000 attending. The supper room where the beer was dispensed was closed at midnight, as members realised something had to be done about it. Abuse had most unjustly fallen bn the travellers.

The magistrate said the offence had almost, been deliberately com* mitted. “We all know the com* mercial travellers have assisted every good cause for years,” he added. “Their efforts have been most praiseworthy. l am concerned, however, with the breach of the law that has been committed. They might not have realised that they were committing a breach of the law, but it was almost deliberately done. It is a pity their effort, .which was approved by the public, should have been marred to the extent it was.” ~V> ■ - • y ■ The defendant was fined £ls and costs (10s),