CLUB’S CHARTER.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXII, Issue 889, 8 September 1910, Page 3

CLUB’S CHARTER.

Christchurch, September 7. The Commission of Enquiry into allegations made regarding the conduct and management of the Sydenham Working Men’s Club opened yesterday, when evidence was given in support of the charges. One witness averred that he saw more drunkenness in the Club in one week than he had seen in licensed houses in six weeks. The secretary of the Club stated that eighteen or nineteen members had been suspended during the past two years for drunkenness. Police-Inspector Gillies stated he paid several surprise visits to the Club, mostly after closing hours. On the last visit the bar was closed and a few members were about. He had had the locker system under review for several years, and considered it a mistake, as it was an evasion of the law. The locker system was the only thing in connection with the Club that he had any complaint about. Another witness alleged that it was the pratice to draw sweeps 011 the principal race meetings of the year, and Mr Flesher (counsel for the petitioners) produced some of the tickets used. Witness stated that some ot the men whose names were on the tickets had been members of the committee of the Club, and most of them were members of the Club. The Commissioner stated he had received a telegram from the Minister extending the scope of the enquiry to cover allegations that (1) gambling had been allowed in the Club, (2) bad language had been used in the Club, and (3) the management of the Club generally had been unsatisfactory. Under these circumstances the petitioners would be at liberty to call evidence on these points.