SLY GROGGER IMPRISONED WITHOUT OPTION.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLVIII, Issue 2987, 16 January 1926, Page 3

SLY GROGGER IMPRISONED WITHOUT OPTION.

RESTAURANT WHISKEY

Auckland, January 14

When Cormick O’Rourke served two young men with breakfast on the morning of December 30 he never suspected for a moment that his customers were police constables in plain clothes. Everything went on as usual. Another customer presented himself at the counter of

the restaurant and asked for some soda water. The drink was poured out, and then he said that he would like some lemonade in it. Lemonade

was promptly produced. The trouble was that it looked like whiskey, and one constable discovered that so early in the morning he had a violent thirst. Going to the counter he said that he would have a.

liisky. He did. O’Rourke served

him. Then the constable went back to his brother officer and they finished the meal. Afterwards both drank a whiskey. This little story was related in the Magistrate’s Court to-day, when O’Rourke pleaded guilty to selling

whisky without a license. It was true, said Mr. Hogg, who appearerd for him, that O’Rourke had been previously convicted for sly grog-selling, but he had been very good during the last few years. His health was in a serious condition; indeed, so serious was it that his medical attendant declared that his days were numbered. “I doubt if he will live long enough to commit another offence,” concluded Mr.

Hogg. Sub-Inspector Rawle said that if was thought that O’Rourke never kept any great quantities of liquor on the premises, but obtained it in small lots. While the constables were in the restaurant accused went out and got six bottles of beer,

which he retailed Lor Is each. Three half bottles of whiskey were found on the premises, and five empty beer bottles, while the constables bought a flask of whisky for 9s. before leaving. O’Rourke had been convicted and fined £SO on two occasions in 1922, and on a third occasioned had been fined £JS at the Supreme Court. Mr Poynton said that the man was a confirmed sly grog-seller. One would have thought that after three warnings he would know’ better than to offend a fourth time. He should have been sent to goal, and if he became very ill he could be sent to the Auckland Hospital. O’Rourke was sentenced to three months’ imprisonment without the option of a fine.