LIQUOR AT BROWN OWL

Waikato Times, Volume 126, Issue 21034, 9 February 1940, Page 7

LIQUOR AT BROWN OWL

PATRONS MEMBERS OF CLUB MAGISTRATE IMPOSES FINES (By Telegraph.—press Association) WELLINGTON, Thursday “Looking at all the circumstances, I am driven to conclude that 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 f 1 once admitted,” said the magistrate, Mr A. M. Goulding, in the Lower Hutt Court today in the course of a reserved judgment in the case in which May St. Johnston was charged with permitting liquor to 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 Hutt, 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 the Brown Owl Country Club Inc., defendant purported to lease the premises to that body, together with certain chattels, the 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. The rental was £2 10s a week and the lease consisted of a reception and dance hall, supper room, lounge and conveniences. The management committee of four provided consisted of the defendant, her husband, their son and Miss Benge. The defendant was chairman and secretary. Defendant banked all moneys, including subscriptions, in her own account. In examining the nomination forms, said the magistrate, he found that defendant was usually the proposer or seconder. He was satisfied 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 which admission con- * ferred. They paid their humble half crowns and were thereupon elected to membership. On the first charge a fine of £25 was imposed, and on the other charge the fine was £7 10s.