LIQUOR SOLD WITHOUT LICENCE

Southland Times, Issue 24599, 22 November 1941, Page 8

LIQUOR SOLD WITHOUT LICENCE

WELLINGTON SLY GROG SHOP (P.A.) WELLINGTON, November 21. Allegations of drinking in a sly grog shop by young girls and of couples leaving the Melody Club as late as 5 o’clock in the morning ‘were made before the Magistrate, Mr J. L. Stout, in the police prosecution of Hubert Edward Howard for selling liquor without a licence. He pleaded guilty and was fined £5O and costs. According to Sub-Inspector Hewitt, a constable visited the premises and purchased liquor from Howard. Later a large quantity of liquor was seized. Howard, who was in charge of the place at that time, had the keys of different lockers with various names on them. The sub-inspector said that Howard stated that he assisted or was assisted by his brother in the management of the club, which had installed amusement machines. They went fifty-fifty in the takings. There was a lot of drinking on the part of people on the premises, the sub-inspector continued, including young girls of 20 years of age. The police had seen couples leaving the premises under the influence of liqquor as late as 5 o’clock in the jnoming. Its club business was simply a blind for a sly grog shop of one of the worst descriptions. The Magistrate, after imposing a fine, said if the offence occurred again it would mean imprisonment for Howard.