POLICE RAID ON CABARET

Hokitika Guardian, 14 September 1931, Page 3

POLICE RAID ON CABARET

SEQUEL IN COURT,

.SEARCH MADE FOR LIQUOR

AUCKLAND, September 11

A raid by two police sergeants and five constables, carried out at 11 p.m. on July 23, at the Peter Pain Cabaret, When the Auckland Aero Club held its annual ball, had its sequel at the Police Court to-day when the manager, Norman W. 'Loveridge, was charged with permitting liquor to be drunk in a restaurant when licensed premises were, required to be closed. T. Nicholson, one of those at the ball, was charged with drinking liquor in a restaurant when licensed premises were required to be closed. Detective-Sergeant Kelly prosecuted and Mr E. 'H. Northcote appeared for .both defendants. In Nicholson’s case, a plea of guilty was advanced. The manager pleaded not guilty. •Constable Marley said he attended the Peter Pan Cabaret in evening dress on the night of July 18. He procured supper, consisting of toast and tea, for which he paid two shillings. The constable added that he was instructed to attend the' cabaret for the purpose of taking observations concerning the consumption of liquof in cubicle No. 1, where there were two couples. Glasses and bottles of ginger ale were brought out. While the attendant waited for payment, one of the occupants placed a large whisky bottle on the table and poured some into each of the four glasses. Liquor was being consumed at cubicle No. 4. There were eight persons and six glasses and one bottle of whisky, which was consumed in water, during the evening. The constable, said there were two couples in cubicle No. 23 and, when they got up to dance, an empty whisky bottle was left exposed on the table in full view of the dancers.

'Mr F. K. Hunt, S.AI. : Did the four people ‘ consume one large bottle? “They did,” witness replied “Tlv‘ bottle was shortly afterwards removed by an attendant.” ■ AERO CLUB BALL. On July 23, the night of the Aero Club. Ball, witness was again present. ■He gave instances of liquor being consumed.'At table No. 9 sat two couples. There four glasses, a jug of water and a vase of flowers on the table. The flowers were placed undexv the table and were used to hide a parcel of four bottles of what appeared to be cocktail. Mr Northcote; Have you any knowledge of the doorkeeper refusing admission to persons who bring parcels of liquor? “Yes, that is so,” said witness,' who added that, he remembered an occasion when, he was called to eject a patron tvho had liquor. He also knew of an occasion when Loveridge confiscated four, bottles of liquor found on a man. Constable Pretious, who also attended .the/ cabaret on the .nights of July 18 and 23 ■ gave evidence of seeing liquor oonsumed on July 18. He said he saw one noisy party of six or eight in cubicle No. 23. The women had been dijinbing and the .party • was noticeably under the influence, of liquor, particularly the women. One girl walked from the cubicle to the dance floor and had to 'be supported by her partner. Attendants passed by several times and could have seen what wit-, ness saw. What took place when the cabaret was raided was then told by Constable Stewart. He said two sergeants and five constables entered the cabaret about 11 p.m. Witness said he saw Nicholson, who, immediately he noticed .witness, hurried over to his cubicle. Witness saw Nicholson concealing some bottles under a lady’s 'coat. There were two empty whisky bottles, a partly full bottle of port wine and a bottle of gin. Mr Hunt: A nice mixture ! Nicholson, said the constable, admitted the wine and gin were his, but said the other two . bottles did not belong: to him. . .... '■ Counsel said it was a fact that the cabaret was crowed and that a search of, forty-five cubicles and many tables revealed only two empty bottles and two bottles with liquor in them. It •spoke volumes for the good conduct of others present. Notices prohibiting the ' taking of liquor into the cabaret were displayed at the entrance and also in the cloakrooms, while Loveridge himself made frequent rounds of inspection and directed his staff that no liquor was to be brought in or consumed. * The doorkeeper was kept expressly to watch for liquor. Loveridge always showed a settled determination to stop those who broke the law.

Regarding the woman who was drunk in a cubicle, Mr Northcroft said •Loveridge spoke .to. her husband, who explained that the party had come from a wedding to the cabaret and that she had taken too much liquor before she arrived. Loveridge insisted that the husband should, take her away. This was done, -Loveridge and others gave evidence on these lines and the decision was reserved.