SLY GROG-SELLING,

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 1956, 13 January 1914, Page 7

SLY GROG-SELLING,

"TREATING FRIENDLY VISITORS." (By Telegraph.—Press Assooixtlon.i Auckland, January 12. Two separate charges of sly grogeeliing were brought, against William Palmer at tho Police Court to-day before Mr. E. C. Cutien, S.M., the date of the alleged offences being December 13 and 14 last. Tho charges were tho outcome of a raid engineered by the police. •• • •• ■ Defendantfiktpt-*Ta small-v'eliop in Mount Eden Road, and Constable Potter. with Constable Maisie, visited the place under the guise of a traveller with lines of essences, on moro than one occasion. On December 13 he was carrying on a general conversation when his fellow conspirator dropped in, and while partaking of a soft driuk expressed a wish that it was "hard stuff." Defendant thereupon produced beer from a jar under the counter, and a woman aiso entered tho shop inquiring whether ho. had any "booze," simultaneously opening her purs*. Cor.stablo Potter did the honours of the occasion, and tendered half-a-crown for tho drinks. A remark was made by the defendant that "it would do to fill tho jar up again," and ho put the half-a-crown on a shelf. On December 14 (Sunday) two constables went along together,, and wero invited into the din-ing-room. The jar was produced and a round or two of beer was served. Two shillings were placed oh the table in payment, They left, but returned, and were having another drink when the police entered. The defence set up by Palmer was that the liquor was not sold, but was offered by way of hospitality, and tho money handed over was accepted only on the understanding that it would bo devoted to refilling the jar to continue the "treating" of friendly visitors. Accused was convicted on both charges and fined £20.