SLY GROG SELLING

Southland Times, Issue 22758, 7 December 1935, Page 8

SLY GROG SELLING

MAXIMUM FINE IMPOSED. AUCKLAND RESTAURANT. (Per United Press Association.) Auckland, December 6. “These premises have for a long time been notorious for sly grog selling,” said Sub-Inspector Scott in the Police Court when Roy McGregor was charged with three counts of selling liquor in the Persian Garden restaurant in Swanson street. Defendant, who was represented by Mr Dickson, admitted two of the charges and on a third the police offered no evidence. The sub-inspector described police visits to the premises. On October 2 a constable in plain clothes visited the premises at night and purchased eight bottles of ale from defendant. A similar quantity was obtained the following night. On October 5 a constable purchased 10 bottles of ale. Early the following morning three sergeants and two constables executed a search warrant and found 118 pint bottles of beer, a bottle of whisky and a bottle of gin. There were also about 135 empty liquor bottles. About 30 people were in the dining room, a number of them being under the influence of liquor. “We have had a careful check on these premises for a long period,” added Sub-Inspector Scott. “It is frequented principally by seamen and women and girls of low class. It is the worst drinking, gambling and, prostitution den I have encountered.” Counsel: I challenge you to prove those statements. “This dirty disgusting sly grog shop has received special police attention and I ask that an extremely smart lesson should be administered,” added Sub-Inspector Scott. “The sub-inspector’s statements are given a direct lie by defendant,” said counsel. “He read a prepared statement and I challenge him to prove his allegations concerning gambling and prostitution. Lam amazed at these extraordinary extravagant statements.” “I have to fix a penalty on the basis of sly grog selling, not for gambling or prostitution,” said the Magistrate, Mr McKean. “There is very little to be said in mitigation of an offence of this sort. The maximum fine is £5O and I can see no reason for making it less. Defendant is fined £50.”