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93
Legal proceedings were taken against the keepers of six
disorderly houses and clubs in the Parish during the year,
and a conviction was obtained in each case, in one case the
defendants being sent to prison with hard labour. In two
cases proceedings were taken against the owners of the
houses, as well as the tenants, and there is little doubt that
if this practice can be acted upon more fully, the result, as
in the two cases mentioned, would have a beneficial effect.
Exorbitant rents are said to be demanded by some owners
for their premises, far beyond the letting value of the
property, and it is evident that when such rents are obtained
the owner is aware of the use to which the premises
are intended to be put, and is therefore a party to the use
of the premises for immoral purposes. It requires therefore
little additional evidence to bring such owners within the
provisions of the Criminal Law Amendment Act.
In addition to the six prosecutions mentioned, a number
of alleged disorderly houses have been kept under observation,
and, in many cases, notices were given to the
persons responsible for the conduct of the houses, with the
result of causing a discontinuance of the annoyance and
thereby rendering legal proceedings unnecessary. The
Vestry desire it to be understood that they are prepared to
take legal proceedings against keepers of disorderly houses,
on complaint being made to them, and on two ratepayers
undertaking to produce material evidence sufficient to
justify a prosecution.
PROPOSED REGISTRATION OF CLUBS.
The Vestry's attention was called early in the year to
the desirability of some steps being taken for the registration
and supervision of clubs, many of which cause great