LIQUOR SERVED AT DANCE

Hokitika Guardian, 30 September 1930, Page 2

LIQUOR SERVED AT DANCE

POLICE TAKE ACTION.

MAGISTRATE RESERVES DECISION. WELLINGTON, September 26. The admissibility of liquor at n gathering held vby the Athenian Club in the no-license district of South Wellington was called into question in the Police Court to-day when the Club was charged with selling liquor in a no-license dstrict. The defence raised was that liquor had beten provided by the host and hostess of the evening whose property it was. Decision was reserved. Sub-Inspector Lopdell said that the Athenian Club was a social organisation which held a gathering once a iortnight in a hall at Kilbirnie. It had come to the knowledge of the police that tickets might be procured at certain places and it was arranged for two constables to obtain tickets. Through the evening refreshments were served and liquor was given to those present. The constables were not members of the chib. Members of the public could go to the club’s gatherings without complying with the requirements that such visitors should go with members of the club. In return for a charge of ss, there was dancing and supper, beer and wine also being served. The two constables who attended the gathering had been in no way guests as defined by the Act. Evidence was given along these lines. Mr Peny, for the defence, said that tickets had been bought by two constables at S. S. - Williams and Co. Mr Williams was a member of the committee of the club and his shop was one of the six depots where tickets could be obtained by members. As a rule, the committee made sure that a person introducing a visitor was a member. The police had made no reflection on the conduct of the institution. The cluh had been in existence for about three years and had a membership of 160. The procedure adopted by the club was that a host and hostess were appointed for each function. They expended what money they pleased on a particular evening and in that respect they were .made an allowance by the club. Whatever liquor was present at club functions was not the property of the club. On the night of August 27, the club itself did not purchase any liquor nor did it do so at any time. Members of the club had been forbidden to bring liquor on the premises dluring club gatherings. Any liquor provided, if at all, was provided by the host and hostess. Evidence was given in support of counsel’s remarks.

Fred Millet Sherwood, president of the club, said under cross-examination, that he could not remember when the host and hostess had not supplied liquor at a* club gathering. Sydney Frederick Bernard Tucker, secretary of the club, said that the club had never had a “dry” night. Horatio Alexander Strangemuir, vicepresident of the club, who was host on the night of August 27, said that if anyone at the club gatherings- had three drinks they had more than their