RAID ON A CLUB.

Taranaki Daily News, 16 June 1923, Page 4

RAID ON A CLUB.

LIQUOR IN CARDROOM. WHO SUPPLIED IT? By Telegraph.—Press Association. Wellington, Last Night. A somewhat unusual attitude was adopted by a witness for the prosecution in a case heard at the Magistrate’s Court today, when during the course of his evidence in chief he denied the truth of certain facts in a statement which he had made to the police and had subsequently signed. The case was a prosecution under the Licensing Act, in which Hugh Douglas, manager of the Working Men’s Club, was charged on three counts of selling liquor after hours. The case for the Crown, was conducted by sub-Inspector Cummings, and Mr. Kennedy appeared for defendant. The police stated that on March 5 they found in the club’s cardroom three men, one of whom left just as they arrived. The men had three bottles of liquor. One man named Irlam was drinking stout and admitted he had bought the liquor from one of the club’s stewards for Is 6d, but the other man said he did not know where the liquor came from. The head steward of the club was called and Irlam said he bought the liquor from one of the servants df the club, but when all the stewards were called he did not identify the man.

Thomas Irlam gave evidence that he was at the club on March 5 and after procuring a bottle of stout from one of the members of the club ho went into the cardroom. The sum of Is Gd was paid for the liquor. The statement which was taken from witness after the raid was then read, but Irlam was reluctant about admitting its correctness, stating he. got the liquor from a member, not a steward. The sub-inspector: “The witness is hostile.” “The witness is obviously hostile,” commented the Magistrate. On being asked why he shifted his ground now, witness said he had been in bad health. Witness did not remember where he signed the statement* Counsel for the defence said the club’s officials would testify that they did not sell the liquor to Irlam on the night in question. Several witnesses testified to counsel’s statement. Decision will be given on Friday.