ALLEGED SLY GROG-SELLING. HOSPITAL SOCIAL COMMITTEE IN TROUBLE.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXV, Issue 2193, 24 September 1907, Page 2

ALLEGED SLY GROG-SELLING. HOSPITAL SOCIAL COMMITTEE IN TROUBLE.

The Mayor, as chairman of the Hospital Social Committee, and other gentlemen, connected with the social, received quite a shock yesterday when they learned that there is a possibility of tlieir being cited before the Court oil a charge of, above all things, sly-grog selling! Several supporters of tho No-License cause, who have all unconsciously become embroiled in the affair, as members of tho committee, are much perturbed bv tho news. The amusing situation is tho outcome of conducting a booth at the sooial for those patrons who liked something stronger to drink than a cup of tea. At tho Baths Social, and at similar functions for •years-past, refreshment booths ha,vo been unostentatiously conducted. Soft drinks, claret-cup, and beverages of a kind calculated to appeuse tlie male thirst liavo been dispensed. No charge lias, of course, been levied, but there has been an appealinglooking collection-box handy, into which contributions have been thoughtfully dropped, with the idea of swelling the funds for “sweet charity’s Hike.” For years all lias proceeded as merrily as tlie proverbial weddiilg-bell; .no . thought of lawbreaking entered the minds of the promoters. It lias been the custom of the hotel proprietors to donate the beverages, and they have generally managed the department. Indeed, this year the Mayor, until yesterday’s thunderbolt caused him to hustle round for information, was scarcely aware there was such a department, Mr. Oman, as chairman of the refreshment committee, having attended to all tlie details. One or two members of.tlio committee, confess to having felt some qualms that it was “sailing pretty close to the wind” as regards tho law, and to having a hazy idol that some sort of provisional certificate for the two nights was required. But such doubts were soon dispelled bv experienced advisers. Had not the practice been followed .for years without any hint of •llegality? Banish such Jeremiahs! But, alas! some misguided individual, it is slid, drew police attention to the harmless booth the other evening, and now there is a fervid rush to look up the statutes on the subject. Last night some of tboso who believe there are dreadful possibilities ahead were delving into the law ■vith as much vigor as they put into uromoting the success of the Hospital Social. But apprehensions may ho unwarranted. After all, the guardians of law and order are simply making inquiries, which may lead to the practice being countenanced by the authorities. “Selling liquor without a license” is a charge, that a.poarentlv could not bo sustained, even were the police animated with a desire to prosecute, which is not behoved to he the case. It is pointed out- that there was no sule; no money ■vas asked for. and as a matter of fact many of those who “nosed out” Mio sequestered tittle retreat quenched their thirst without any idea that mouetarv consideration entered into Hie matter at all, and without noticing that tho committee’s collectionbox stood invitingly near. If anything should arise out of that dread word “Inquiries,” the Mayor and "ommittee will he the most surprised bit of well-meaning citizens in New Zealand.