POLICE VISITED AUCK,LD CABARET.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 17906, 23 July 1926, Page 5

POLICE VISITED AUCK ,LD CABARET.

ALLEGED DRINK SOLD AND DANCERS WERE UNDER THE INFLUENCE. (Special to the "Star.”) AUCKLAND, June 23. As a result of visits to ‘Dixieland cabaret by two constables in plain clothes. Dr F. J. Rayner was this morning charged with permitting liquor to be drung in a restaurant at a time when licensed premises were required to be closed. The manager, Frederick William Prouting. was also charged with allowing liquor to be consumed. Sergeant Calwell told the Magistrate, Mr Hunt, that Dixieland was well known, and was run on American cabaret lines. It was contended that it was also a restaurant. A constable stated that in company with another he went to Dixieland on May 4. That night there was a charity ball held. Witness had a reserved table, and paid 7s 6d to get in, but 'verything additional was charged foWith the exception of the dancing part, the cabaret was set off in cubicles which contained tables, chairs, ad, in some cases, settees. An extra charge was made for the cubicles. The appearance of the cabaret suggested that it was a restaurant. There were waittresses and waiters. Witness had sup-

Mr Hunt: What did you have?— Salmon mayonnaise. That looked the most substantial item on the menu. (Laughter.) Continuing, witness said that when the dancing commenced, champagne, wine and whisky were openly displayed on the tables. He saw people drink liquor from the glasses provided. In fact, a waitress asked witness if he desired a “ spot.” As the evening wore on the majority began to show signs of having consumed liquor. Several young women could hardly support themselves, and were hanging on to their dancing partners’ necks. To use a common expression they were “ gone at the knees.” Many were behaving in a disorderly manner. Witness knew that liquor was consumed because he saw bottles with labels and the contets in glasses left on the tables, lie could also plainly smell liquor on the dancers. He aso saw it opened. The liquor was undoubtedly carried in. Witness saw none being supplied by the cabaret. One young man took his coat off and looked for a fight. There was no supervision. No one seemed to be keeping order. Corroborative evidence was given by two other constables, one of whom, stationed at Point Chevalier, estimated that thirteen thousand persons visited the cabaret one Sunday. Dr Rayner is chairman of directors of Dixieland. The hearing was adjourned until the afternoon.