THE RAID ON BOOKMAKERS.

. -. .. -h» — r- : . j ACCUSED BEFORE THE .COURT. CHARGE OF KEEPING A BETTING HOUSE. The result, of the recent raid of the police upon the premises of Messrs Barnett ajid Grant was seen at the Magistrate's Court this morning, when Mr R. Beetham, S.M., beard two cases brought against Matthew Barnett, turf-a>gent. The charges were chat Matthew Barnett had, during January last, used his office, 174, Hereford Street, for the purpose of betting with persons resorting thereto, and that on Nov. 1, 1901, and on other days 'between then an>di Feb. 1, 1802, he unlawfully kept the same office and' used it for the purpose of receiving money and valuables for undertakings and promises to pay, or give thereafter, money or valuables pn events and contingencies relating to 'horse races. Mr Stringer appeared for the prosecution; and Mr Harper, with him Mr Cassidy, for the defendant. His Worship stated that the. defendant had the option of trial by jury, and, after consultation with Mr Harper, the defendant decided to ask for a trial of this kind. The prosecution proposed to take both charges together, but Mr Harper objected to this, stating that the cases were dissimilar. Mr Stringer said that he thought the depositions in the one case would cover the other charge, but he would! proceed to deal with the first charge. John Fahey, detective, stated that he knew defendant's office in Hereford Street. On Jan. 29, in pursuance of a warrant, he •entered the office, and found two clerks in charge. He took possession of books, telegrams, race-cards, etc., which were in the office. These were produced in Court. DefendanLcame into the office immediately afterwards. Since the occasion referred to he had gone through the books and found that they had to do solely with betting transactions. Certain race - cards and pamphlets having to do with betting were identified by witness as coming from Barnett's office, and these were put in as illustrations. Witness said that Barnett himself had been searched, and an account of certain betting transactions was found upon him. A book was produced, in which witness was able to find entries of betting transactions mentioned in the account as carried on with a person named " Groper," evidently a fiptitious name. Another book also 1 showed dealings with the same man, and witness was satisfied that these had to do with betting. (Left sitting.)