A DEN OF INFAMY.

Waikato Times, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 3079, 9 April 1892, Page 1 (Supplement)

A DEN OF INFAMY.

The " Penbroke Mu-ical Social Club" is ~n imposing aud high, sounding title. It U Miggestiv.! of haraiony, fraternity, and riultuie. Yet, the institution in Anson street, denominated (in tliia its " charter") appears to be mueli tnoro iiojuratly (inscribed hy the term applied to it, l>y one of the witnesses in the poliee court yesterday — a den of infamy/' The re-ult of Sunday morning's raiding of the " club" was in the first, place, the discovery of some forty men packed in a room about six yards by five, gambling with cards, and drinking, while the issue of the police court episode has been the imposition of a penalty upon tho lady " manageress" of £15 and costs in each of the oases proved against hor and of 20s and costs upon tho diligent door keeper. Tho punishment is by no means excessive. The •' Peubroko" has bceu a report for bad characters who repaired thither not merely for gambling and disipation, but, for the fleecing of victims. If the latter " pirted" freely with their ready money or submitted pleasantly to being cheated at cards, well and good. And if not, tho lights were turned down, aud more forcible measures resorted to. Tho magistrate refused to believe that Mrs Elizabeth Jones was the innocent dupe alleged as regards tho illegality of her tariff, and tho infamous proceedings generally carried on in her establishment aud ho was right. Tho lady's past history shows that she is by no means a novice. No doubt there are other similar " dens" to bo dealt with, and the fact suggests first that the total suppivsssioa of theliqor trailic would be an impossible task, and secondly, that it is preferable to have it open, subject to supervision aud control.