FOR THE THIRSTY

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 280, 16 February 1928, Page 1

FOR THE THIRSTY

VICTORIA ST. OASIS DALMATIAN GROG SHOP WOMAN KEEPER FINED £25 On January 4, 15 dozen bottles of ale and stout were delivered at 61 Victoria Street. Three days later a similar consignment was delivered again. On January 4 a constable purchased two bottles of beer there at nine o’clock in the evening. Patricia Anich, who keeps a shop at the address, was, in consequence of that sale, charged at the Police Court to-day with, selling liquor without a licence. Her defence was an alibi, in support of which about 12 witnesses were called, but to no purpose. Mrs. Anich was convicted and fined £25. Constable Haines said that he was in Victoria Street on the evening of January 4. He was approached by a man, who asked him if he would care for a drink. Replying that he would, he was taken to No. 61, a shop. Mrs. Anich served witness and his companion with two bottles of beer. MANY BOTTLES GATHERED Evidence was given as to the quantity of liquor delivered at the shop, and a bottle gatherer said he generally collected from 15 to 25 dozen empty bottles there every Monday. Sergeant Turner said he had the shop under observation for some time because of complaints of trouble among seamen there late at night. On January 4 a search warrant was executed and a quantity of liquor was seized. There were 12 men in the place, and some were in a drunken condition. Mr. Webb, who appeared for defendant, said that she did not sell the liquor to the constable, because she was at Penrose until 10 p.m,. on January 4. Evidence in support of this was given for an hour and a-half. “I’ve got no doubt about it,” said the magistrate, Mr. F. K. Hunt. “The place has been used as a sly-grog shop for months.”