BETTING CASES.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume I, Issue 243, 17 November 1914, Page 10

BETTING CASES.

CARNIVAL WEEK SEQUEL. FINES FOR WAGERING. The racing carnival of the past week appears to have had a disturbing effect upon some members of the community, especially those imbued with the sort of sporting proclivities which lead them to wager on the winning chances of man's greatest friend, the horse, when that noble animal is induced to compete in trials of speed. To-day a batch of bookmaking eases came before Mr 11. W. Bishop, S.M., at the Magistrate's Court, arising out of the recent race meeting. Chris. Higgins (Mr Donnelly) was charged with frequenting a street leading to the Riccarton racecourse for the purpose of betting on the 11th inst. The accused. pleaded not guilty. Chas. Schroll, a cook, of Christchurch, said that on the day in question he saw the accused with other "men at about

2.30 near some empty stalls just off the course, and nearly opposite the hotel. He saw men going to the accused, paying him money and receiving money. This was going on all the afternoon. After each race the men would go over to the centre of the course and look through glasses towards the '' tote.'' To Mr Donnelly: He was the police cook, and was sent to the course by the police. He didn 't expect to get anything out of the affair.

Constable Axell also gave evidence of money changing hands. To Mr Donnelly: He had been six weeks in Christchurch, and didn't expect to get anything out of these cases. Mi' Donnelly, for the defence, submitted that if the case was to be proved it was not by men such as the two witnesses, a cook at the police station and a probationary constable. It was jiot a satisfactorily proved case. •The accused, in the box, said he was ai, Resident of Christchurch. As he was a bookmaker, he was not allowed to go on the course in. the ordinary way. He went to the racecourse about midday, going on the centre Of the course and staying there till 2 o'clock, when he went to the hotel for lunch. He afterwards returned to the centre of the course. He twice went to the hotel. At no time did he make a bet at the [stalls. '■'•'■ "■ ■'' ..' To the Sub-Inspector: He believed that'oh one occasion Kraetzer, the racecourse detective, had warned him from going on to .the course because he was ; a bookmaker. He was in the company of Pollock, a bookmaker. - ChaSi Purvis, -'billiards-room, manager of Lyttelton, said he went with Higgins from Lyttelton by the 12 o'clock train. They got their ticket on, the train and went on ,to the centre of the course. At 2 o 'clock they went for dinner to the hotel. At no time did Higgins make a bet in any shape or form or take any money. To the Sub-Inspector: He was not allowed on the course because he was a bookmaker's, clerk 3£ years ago, and was told by the racecourse detective at the last Tneeting that he wasn't wanted on the course., A conviction was entered and a fine of £3O arid costs imposed. A second charge, in respect of the 14th inst. was dismissed, as the Constable had not seen the accused making any heis. ' Wm. Pollock (Mr Donnelly) was similarly charged with frequenting for the

purpose of betting. Accused pleaded not guilty. Evidence similar to that given in the previous case was given by Schroll and Constable Axell. Detective-Sergeant Hunt and Sergeant Bird stated that the accused followed the calling of a bookmaker.

A further, charge in respect of the 14th inst. was brought against him, but the police evidence was not conclusive, and accused in the box denied having made a bet on the 14th, and the inforination was dismissed.

Oil the first charge he was fined £2O and co?.ts.

Gideon Scott was also charged with frequenting the same street for the purpose of betting on the 9th. Charles Schroll said he put 2/6 on Flower of the West in the last 'race, making-the bet with the accused. Mr Bishop: It didn't win!— No. Bad selection.

Constable Axcll said he saw the accused take the money from the last witness.

Mr Malley here .withdrew the plea and admitted the offence.

Three further charges were then preferred against him of laying "tote odds" with Schroll and Axell.

On the charge of frequenting he was fined £2O and costs, and on the first betting charge ho was fined £lO and costs, convictions being entered in all charges. Richard Chamberlain (Mr Malley) was charged that on the 9th at Riccarton he made a bet with Charles Schroll and Francis Axell.

Mr Malley appeared fo- the accused, who pleaded not guilty. A second charge was brought against him of frequenting a street for the purpose of betting. The Sub-Inspector was willing that if accused should plead guilty to all charges a fine of £2O and costs should be made for the charge of frequenting, and £lO and costs for the first charge of betting, convictions being entered on all charges. This course was followed, there being 10 charges against him altogether. Edward Duller (Mr Malley) was also charged with frequenting for the purpose of betting. He pleaded not guilty. The constable said he went up to accused and asked him what price he paid on Samiel in the Ashley Handicap. Accused told him he paid tote prices, and witness put 5/- on the horse. Schroll also outlined his experiences in making a bet of 2/6 on Flower of the West. Detective-Sergeant Hunt said he

knew the accused to be a bookmaker. He had been convicted isi Christchurch not. long - ago.

Accused in the box denied that the witnesses had made bets witli him. He did not stay at the course till the last race.

To the Sub-inspector: He had previously been convicted of being a bookmaker, and of sly grog-selling. Three charges of laying "tote odds" with Schroll and Axell were also preferred against him, to which he pleaded guilty. On the charge of frequenting he was fined £SO and costs, convictions being recorded on the other charges. Frank Watson (Mr Malley) was also charged with frequenting for the purpose of betting, and on nine other informations of laying ''tote odds" with Schroll and Axell. Watson pleaded guilty. The Magistrate knew something of the man's life, and questioned him in regard to his children. Watson: Their bodies are well filled and their clothes are good. I never was a cur in my life, and I am a British subject. Mr Bishop: As 'long as you're not a German it's all right. You've got a respectable wife, haven't you?—l dunno. Your wife came to see me this morning.—Don't say that. I don't want the public to know* She seemed afraid that I was going to send you to gaol. I am not going to, for the sake of your wife and family. You are fined £2O and costs on the charges of frequenting, and convictions are entered on all" other charges. To Mr Malley: If he-vomes up again I 'll send him to gaol without the option of a fine.

Accused, saluting the bench: I'll never be 1 here* again. J.i any man thinks of his home I do —my God, I do! Excuse me saying that. This closed the cases, the revenue of the country being increased by £l5O.