AN AMATEUR “ BOOKIE,”

Ashburton Guardian, Volume XLV, Issue 10349, 12 March 1925, Page 5

AN AMATEUR “ BOOKIE,”

DOUBLE LAID TOO FREELY.

IN FEAR OF MAORI CLIENTS.

(Per Press Association.) GISBORNE, March 11. The story of an amateur bookmaker's flight from Ruatorea was told in the Police Court to-day, and incidentally the pains and penalties described as possible in that coastal centre were dramatically described. Benjamin Bennett, with several aliases, pleaded Siilty to a charge of bookmaking at uatorea. Detective McLeod said the accused arrived at Ruatorea on February 25 from Auckland and commenced betting. He ran a “book” on the 27th, the day of the Qpotiki races, and also proceeded to lay doubles on the Ruatorea races. He was hit in his operations, and disappeared without paying his clients, the amount involved being between £2OO and £3OO. , Counsel for the defence said that accused went to the district to seek work, and it was suggested something could be made in the way of a “book.’ It was his first attempt, and his lack of knowledge proved his undoing. A double that was thought to have no chance won. Catastrophe thus fell upon Bennett, and he left the course, or the Ruatorea Maoris would have had an old-time cannibal feast. In fact, it was said they had the potboiling. Accused slipped away to the hotel, hut the Maoris followed and made a demonstration. His client by this time was in a. blue, funk. It put the fear of death into him. At the hotel he said he would pay out in the morning, but this was only to ‘gam time. His nerve was gone, and he dm the only thing he could. He left quietly. His Worship: He wont go to Ruatorea. again. (Laughter.) Mr Wauchop: “No, he won't.” Counsel added that he felt sure accused would make good if given a chance. . , ... His Worship said that seeing the accused had not been in the habit of hookmaking, he would give him _an opportunity. He would impose a fin© of £3O, with costs 10s, in default three months’ imprisonment.