SLY GROG

Auckland Star, Volume LXXIII, Issue 125, 29 May 1942, Page 6

SLY GROG

SOLD BY CHINESE

FIRST AUCKLAND CASE

Kwong Shing, a Chinese aged 69, appeared on summons in the Police Court to-day before Mr. J. H. Luxford, S.M.. on a charge of selling liquor without a license on April 10. It was stated that this was the first case in Auckland where a Chinese was charged with sly-grogging.

Kwong Shing. for whom Mr. Allan .Moody appeared, pleaded guilty to the charge.

Sub-Inspector Macnamara said i hut owing to complaints having been received of liquor being sold by Chinese in Clrev's Avenue over a considerable period, a constable was instructed to obtain evidence of slygrogging. On April 10 a constable went to a Chinese shop in Grey's Avenue and found Kwong Shing behind the counter. The constable a>ked defendant for some beer. Kwong Shing asked. "How much?"

and the constable asked for six bottles. These were sold to him by defendant, for 2/ a bottle. Kwong Shing told the constable to put the beer under his coat.

Police Seize laqiior

The following day a search was made of the premises tinder the Licensing Kmergency Regulations by Sergeants Hamilton, Matthews and Sutherland. On being questioned, K »vong Shing said he had no liquor in the shop, but the search revealed HI bottles of beer in the shop at Gl, Grey's Avenue, and in another part of the premises a large quantity of Chinese liquor, which defendant said was Chinese whisky and wine that was not for sale. At No. 01, and the adjoining premises of 59, Grey's Ave., the police found cases of Chinese whisky and wine. The whole of the liquor seized totalled 1570 bottles.

"Complaints were received about men coming from these premises in an intoxicated condition, and their breath smelling like methylated spirits," added the sub-inspector.

Kwong Shing, said Mr. Moody, had been in New Zealand over 22 years and until this offence he had been a law-abiding and well respected citizen. Defendant was in bad health. He had been employed on the premises at a wage of £3 10/ per week, but had no interest in the premises or business whatever. He had only sold beer and did not sell spirits. Kwong Shing sold beer in defiance of the instructions of his employers in order to supplement his income. Because he had abused his trust he had since been "sacked."

"This is the first case in Auckland where a Chinese has been charged with selling sly grog and, naturally the Chinese community in the city feel the position very keenly, as they are law-abiding citizens," said counsel. "In view of Kwong Shing's poor state of health and all the other circumstances of this case, I would ask your worship to impose a monetary penalty and not send him to prison."

Sentenced Postponed

Mr. Luxford: In view of the amount of liquor found on the premises and under his control, 1 can only assume this was a sly grog shop with6ut limitation. Such offences, as I have said before, can only be punished by imprisonment. However, Kwong Shing is manifestly a sick man. I will direct that he be examined by a doctor to ascertain if he is fit to undergo a prison sentence.

Sentence was postponed until Wednesday next at 9.30 a.m. The magistrate allowed defendant to be at liberty on his own recognisance.

Concerning an application by the police for the confiscation of the liquor seized, the magistrate said he would deal with this question on Wednesday when Mr. G. P. Finlay, who represented the co-operative owners of the liquor, would be heard regarding the application.