3 MONTHS' GAOL FOR SLY-GROGGER.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 17745, 15 January 1926, Page 10

3 MONTHS' GAOL FOR SLY-GROGGER.

THE LEMONADE HAD A “ KICK ” IN IT—WHISKY. Pei- Press Association. AUCKLAND. January 14. When Cormick O’Rourke served two 3 r oung men with breakfast on the morning of December 20 he never suspected for a moment that his customers were police constables in plain clothes. Everything went on as usual. Another customer presented himself at the counter of the restaurant and asked for some soda water. The drink was poured out. Then he said he would like some lemonade in it. “Lemonade" was produced. The trouble was that it looked like whisky, and one constable discovered that so early in the morning he had a violent thirst. Going to the counter he said he would have a whisky. He did. O’Rourke served him. Then the constable went back to his brother officer and they finished the meal. Afterwards both drank a whisk y. This little story was related in the Police Court to-day, when O’Rourke pleaded guilt3' to selling whisky without a license. It was true, said Mr Hogg, who appeared for.him, that O’Rourke had been previously convicted for sly-grog selling, but he had been very good during the last few years. His health was in a serious condition; indeed, so serious that his medical attendant declared his days were numbered. “I doubt if he will live long enough to commit another offence,” concluded Mr Hogg. Sub-Inspector Rawle said it was thought that O’Rourke never kept any great quantities of liquor on the premises, but obtained it in small lots. While the constables were in the restaurant accused went out and got six bottles of beer, which he retailed for Is each. Some three half bottles of whisky were found on the premises and five empt> r bottles of beer, while the constables bought a flask of whisky for 9s before leaving. O’Rourke had been convicted and fined £SO on two occasions in 1922, and on a third occasion had been fined £75 at the Supreme Court. Mr Poynton, S.M., said the man was a confirmed sly-grog seller. One would have thought that after three warnings he would know better than to offend a fourth time. H© should have been sent to gaol before, instead *of being fined. It was useless to talk about the state of his health, as there was a hospital at the gaol, and if he became very ill be could be sent to the Auckland Hospital. O’Rourke was sentenced to three months’ imprisonment without the option of a fine.