Preece Family Tree

THE RAID ON CARDIFF CLUBS.

The prosecution of managers of clubs was continued on Monday at the Cardiff police-court before Mr Valpy.

THE VEGA CLUB.

The case of the Vega Club, 190, Bute-street, and of which the manager was Mrs Jane Parish, was first taken. Mr Collingwood prosecuted, and Mr T. H. Belcher defended.

Inspector James gave the usual evidence to prove that beer was sold on the premises. - Cross-examined. He believed the club was a bogus one. The men he saw drinking on the occasion of his visit all declared themselves to be members.

Mr Belcher said that as regards this case he was pretty confident. The defendant was a most respectable woman, and there was no complaint about the club by the police. It was formed on the 19th of December, 1884, under the name of "Malvern Club," and rules were then drawn up and approved. It was at the same time resolved to hire the house belonging to Mrs Parish, at the rental of £12 a month, which was to include furniture, fire, lighting, and cleaning. The officers were duly elected and a secretary appointed.

William Hodge, founder of the club, stated that there was a yearly statement of accounts made by the treasurer. - Cross-examined: He had founded 14 clubs in Cardiff. This one was the first he founded. Mrs Parish was appointed manageress and treasurer. It was also understood that she should have full power to order the necessary liquor and pay for it. All the names of candidates for membership were put in a book.

Richard Kaiser, treasurer of the club, stated that in June last a statement of the accounts was made, which left a balance in favour of the club. That balance was handed to him, and he had it then in his pocket. The manageress ordered all the liquor, but he paid the bills. He did not look after the subscriptions, but Mrs Parish handed them over to him as she received them. He was appointed in June, when his mother-in-law, the defendant, handed him over £17 odd.

Albert Parish, son of Mrs Parish, said he had been the secretary of the club since its formation. He was also one of the founders. He could not produce a copy of the rules of the club. There were 600 members. The fittings were valued, but he could not find the paper on which the valuation was written.

Mr Valpy said his mind was made up. He thought the club was started for the private benefit of the Parish family. The defendent had failed to show that it was a bona fide club, but having respect to the fact that the house was well conducted, he would inflict the lowest penalty, namely, a fine of £15.