NIGHT CLUB CASE

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXXVII, Issue 19803, 19 May 1934, Page 21

NIGHT CLUB CASE

PROPRIETOR CONVICTED. By Telegraph— Press Association CHRISTCHURCH, May 18. Douglas Palmer Claridge, proprietor of Claridge’s Country Club, Burwood, was convicted on each of the charges brought against him by the police. Judgment was delivered by Mr E. D. Mosley, S.M., this morning, when Claridge was fined £lO and costs on a charge of permitting liquor to be consumed in the restaurant when licensed premises are required to be closed. He was convicted and ordered to pay costs on another similar charge. On each of two charges of Sunday trading he was convicted and fined 10/- and costs. “The facts prove that it Is not a membership club,” said Mr Mosley. Mr Sargent for the defendant, asked that the fine be made sufficient to permit him to make a general appeal. The Magistrate said that the evidence satisfied him that the public could readily gain admission on the payment of the usual charge, and that no exception was taken to this by the defendant. He was also satisfied that meals were provided by the defendant and sold to the public for consumption on the premises. Liquor was brought to the premises by guests, and was consumed there in considerable quantities by them, and by their partners, with the knowledge and consent of the defendant. “I can come to no other conclusion than that the consumption of liquor on these premises was part, and an important part too, of the system, on which it was conducted, and that it was consumed at a time when licensed premises are required to be closed.”