HOUSE OF ILL-FAME

Otago Daily Times, Issue 25015, 8 September 1942, Page 4

HOUSE OF ILL-FAME

WOMAN PROPRIETOR SENTENCED (P.A.) AUCKLAND, Sept. 7. "Whatever may be said in favour of licensed brothels, there is no place in this city for a business of the kind carried on by defendant," said Mr J. H. Luxford, S.M., in the Police Court today when imposing the maximum sentence of three months' imprisonment upon Elizabeth May Cook for permitting premises in Hobson street to be used as a brothel. The defendant pleaded, not guilty. _ The magistrate said the evidence of the police was not challenged by the defendant. She merely said she did not know that the premises were so used. "The proprietor of any house which provides lodging accommodation for public use in the way of business is under a duty to see that the premises are not used for an improper or unlawful purpose," Mr Luxford said. "That duty is not discharged by adopting a policy of ' no questions The' magistrate added that he was satisfied that the defendant only intervened to see that her patrons and their girl friends did not make too much noise, and to let them know when the hour of 10.30 p.m. had arrived. It might have been a mitigating circumstance if the defendant had intervened to prevent girls who were obviously under 16 being taken to the premises, but she did not. One cruel result of this omission was apparent from the evidence given at the hearing by some of these children. Anyone who attempted to carry on such a business would now know not to expect any mercy. At the request of defending counsel (Mr Sullivan), the magistrate fixed security for appeal at £7 7s, and the defendant was released on a bond of £SO pending the appeal.