SERIOUS ALLEGATIONS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 16 June 1942, Page 2

SERIOUS ALLEGATIONS

CONDUCT OF COUNTRY CLUB. SUPREME COURT PROCEDINGS. , (By Telegraph—Press Association.) NAPIER, June 15. Allegations of immoral behaviour and improper conduct at the Hawke’s Bay Country Club were made by witnesses - ( before Mr Justice Northcroft, in the Supreme Court, Napier, today, in a case in which Jessie Catherine Thomson and Elizabeth Frances Fahey are applying for an injunction to close the club and to prohibit the managing secretary, Ronald John Carswell, from carrying on in the capacity of manager. The club is situated in Brewster Street, a residential section of Napier. “During its 20 months’ activities this club has been a disgrace and blot upon an otherwise respectable locality,” declared Mr H. W. Dowling, counsel for plaintiffs. He added that some months ago the borough council had been petitioned by several residents of the district to compel the proprietors to cease creating disturbances in the early hours of the morning. The council had been uncertain if it had power to interfere. The police had finally been notified of the deputation’s complaints. Evidence as to noise and disturbances created on the premises was given, one witness at present under subpoena saying that he delivered about five dozen bottles of beer to the club every week. Constable E. G. Rippin gave evidence that under instructions he kept the place under observation for some time. He said that he had seen people in a state of semi-intoxication enter and leave the club at all hours, and heard a considerable amount of noise from the club. Asked by Mr Mason why he did not speak to the manager if he thought there was too much noise, witness , stated that he was there to observe only, but he had told some of the people concerned to make less noise. The case is expected to last tfyree days.