ALLEGED SLY GROG-SELLING.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume XVIII, Issue 1013, 5 August 1909, Page 21

ALLEGED SLY GROG-SELLING.

TWO PROSECUTIONS. Two charges of sly grog-selling were preferred at the Auckland Police Court on Friday against Richard Fredatovich. Mr. E. C. Cutten, S.M., occupied the Bench. Accused was represented by Mr. R. Singer.

The chief witness for the prosecution was Constable Maloney, who deposed that on July 15 he went to accused’s house in Grey-street with a friend, and they were supplied with three bottles of wine, for which they gave 6s for each bottle. The constable brought one bottle away. On the following night they went back again, and again purchased three bottles, at 6s per bottle, one bottle being brought away by the constable. It was about 10.30 when some of the bottles were supplied. They were brought from a room on the premises. Other evidence was given for the police that the wine for which 6s a bottle was paid was obtainable at 21s per dozen, and that later a search of the premises was made and three bottles of wine and one of beer were found.

In reply to Mr. Singer, Constable Maloney admitted he was taken to the house by a man with whom he had made acquaintance in the street, and did not expect to find a sly grog-shop. An interval of about a-quarter of an hour elapsed between the order and the delivery of the wine. The defence was that the accused went out and purchased the wine. Decision was reserved.

Ellen Carroll was also charged with selling liquor without a license. Accused is a fish shopkeeper in Auckland.

Evidence was given by Constable Maloney that he and another man went into the fish room after 10 o’clock, and called for chips. They then asked for drinks, and the waitress said there were only soft drinks. The man in witness’ company (McCallum) said they would like something stronger, and the waitress said she would ask the mistress. She went and brought Mrs. Carroll, and McCallum having offered 5s for whisky, they were supplied with a flask, which was sold in hotels for Is 6d. This flask was brought away by witness. Aftei’ Mr. Lundon had cross-exam-ined witness as to how he became acquainted with the man who took him to the shop, the case was adjourned.