“ONLY A SHAM”

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLVIII, Issue 21574, 9 February 1940, Page 11

“ONLY A SHAM”

Membership of Club

Fine of £25 Imposed

By Telegraph—Press Association WELLINGTON, February 8

“Looking at all the circumstances I am driven to conclude that the membership of the club is a sham or cloak, under which many persons, whose only purpose is to dance at the Brown Owl and enjoy the conviviality which apparently attends such functions, sign nomination papers and are at once admitted,” said Mr A. M. Goulding, S.M., in the Lower Hutt Magistrate’s Court in the course of a reserved judgment. The case was one in which May St. Johnston was charged with permitting liquor tn be consumed in a dance hall and permitting liquor to be consumed in a restaurant during hours when licensed premises were required to be closed. The Brown Owl. which is at Upper Butt, belongs to the defendant’s husband and is leased to her. A licence is held as an accommodation house and restaurant.

By agreement between herself and a registered body called Brown Owl Country Club (Inc.), the defendant purported to lease the premises to that body together with certain chattels, a document providing that the lessee have the right to occupy the premises between 8 p.m. each Saturday and 9 a.m. the following day at a rental of £2/10/- a week. The premises consist of a reception room, dance hall, supper room, lounge and conveniences. The management committee of four consisted of the de<fendant, her husband, their son. and Miss Benge. The defendant was chairman and secretary. The defendant banked all moneys, including subscriptions, in her own account, and, in examining the nomination forms, said the Magistrate, he found the defendant was usually the proposer or seconder. He was satisfied that a large number of those proposed signed the forms on the very evening on which they desired to avail themselves of the terpsichorean and other social delights admission conferred. They paid their humble half-crowns and were thereupon elected to membership. On the first charge a fine of £25 was imposed and £7/10/- on the other.