CABARET SCENES

Hokitika Guardian, 24 July 1926, Page 3

CABARET SCENES

BY TELEGRAPH PRESS ASSN., COPYRIGHT. AUCKLAND. .July 23. Following on a visit by two constables to the Dixieland Cabaret at Point Chevalier, Dr F- J- Raynor, chairman of the directors was chaiged with permitting liquor to be drunk in the restaurant when licensed premises were required to lie closed. Frederick William Proutney. managed of the cabaret was also charged with allowing liquor to be consumed. Constable Taylor gave evidence that

he ntul Constable Waters visited Dixieland on the night of the Charity Ball. He paid 7s d to got in. Everything else was charged for except dancing. When the dancing commenced champagne. wine and whisky were openlv displayed on most of the tables. He saw people drink liquor Trom glasses which were provided. A waitress asked witness if he desired a “spot.” As the evening wore on the majority of the occupants and the dancers began to show .signs of having consumed liquor. About 11 p.m. several young men could hardly support themselves and were hanging on to their dancing partner’s necks. Many of them were behaving in a disorderly manner. The liquor was undoubtedly carried in by the darners themselves. Witness saw

none being supplied bv the cabaret. Constable Waters corroborated the previous witness. Asked did, lie dance he replied, “yes. every dance.” Constable Spclman, stationed at Point Chevalier, said that on one Sunday he estimated that 13,000 people visited the cabaret. Constable Taylor said that at the far end of the hull he saw people drink liquor from glasses which were provided. In fact a waitress asked witness if lie desired a “spot,” when he was seated at a table. As the evening wore on, the majority of the occupants and dancers began to show signs of having consumed liquor. This said witness, was more noticeable about 11 p.m. Several young women could hardly support themselves and were hanging on to tlieir dancing partner’s necks. To use a common expression, they were “gone at the knees.” Many of them were behaving in a disorderly manner. Witness knew that liquor was consumed, because he saw bottles and labels on them, and saw the contents of the glasses left on the tables when those that occupied them wore dancing. ITo could also plainly smell liquor on the dancers. He also saw it opened. Liquor was undoubtedly carried in by the (lancers themselves, and witness saw none being supplied by tlie cabaret. About 11 p.im. one young man in a cubicle took bis coat off and looked for fight, but he was eventually quietened by some of his friends. Witness said he saw no supervision on the evening of May 4th. No one seemed to he keeping order at the cabaret. For the defence, Mr McVcagh said that, to establish a charge it was essential that the police should prove that liquor was consumed in a restaurant in the Dixieland Cabaret. Dancing was the major attraction, and the refreshments were supplied incidental to that dancing. H was not disputed the patrons took liquor into the cabaret. The management did everything in its power to prevent excess. Ho submitted that the Sale of Liquor Restriction Act was not intended to apply to a cabaret where guests brought their own liquor. Its intention was to prevent the consumption of drink in ordinary restaurants which entered for evening meals or suppers after the hotels were closed. It did not embrace a cabaret where light refreshments wore supplied as a secondary consideration. Patrons of high remito could not be challenged at the door or searched for liquor.

Tlib defendant Raynor in evidence said that the Dixieland Company was a private limited liability company with a paid-up capital of £25,000. The cabaret catered for a most reputable class of people. The Magistrate: “What's that?” Rayner:—“l should say patrons of Dixieland are the elite of Auckland.” The Magistrate: “Let’s get that down.” 'Ravner said he had never seen any objectionable behaviour at the cabaret.

The Magistrate: “If I thought that I might come to. any other conclusion I would give a reserved decision, hut I do not. I think that Dixieland is • restaurant for it is fitted,with the usual requisites of a restaurant, a kitchen, canteen etc., while there are also waiters and waitresses. The oul.v difference is that at night prices a l- ' charged for admission, while in the afternoon it is different. It may he. true that dancing is the principal object. It is one of the most mischievous occupations for a business that T can conceive. In a big town with a tremendous population it might ho different. lam going to inflict a maximum penalty on both Dr llayner and the manager. Each will be fined £2O and costs and I say this, that, until a possible appeal comes off, if anybody takes liquor into the cabaret, and is brought up here, they will he fined £5.”

Security for appeal was fixed at £lO 10s in each case.