LAID “TOTE” ODDS

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 49, Issue 67, 29 December 1928, Page 2

LAID “TOTE” ODDS

AUCKLAND WOMAN FINED. “LIKE A HIVE OF BEES.” (Special to tlie “Guardian.”) AUCKLAND, Dec. 28. “I’ll poison myself. I’ll do myself in,” shrieked a woman at the Police Court this morning when she was fined £lO for laying tote odds at the trots yesterday. Defendant, Julia Ellen McKenzie (56), pleaded guilty. Throughout the proceedings she sat on a chair sobbing. ■. “This woman was betting at the racecourse yesterday and in a crowd of thousands of men and women had the impudence to stand in front of the totalisator and lay tote odds,” said Chief-Detective Hammond. “There were women round her like a hive of bees. She’s repentent to-day, but 6he was very brazen yesterday. She is all tears this morning, and no sense. In her bag she had £4 18s in silver and a lot of betting material. She is liable to a fine of £20.” “Fined £10,” said Mr Cutten. Throwing her hands up in dramatic manner the woman at once threatened self-destruction. Two police officials took her gently by the arms and led her outside.

“I’ll do it,” said the woman excitedly. “Don’t be silly,” counselled one of her escorts. “You’ll be just in time to have a bet on the first race at Ellerslie to-day.” MAN FINED AT PALMERSTON. (Special to the “Guardian.”) PALMERSTON NORTH, Dec. 28. Pleading guilty to a charge of haying laid totalisator odds on the Awapuni racecourse yesterday, Reginald Merton Semb was fined £lO in the Police Court this morning. Accused was noticed handing change to people and this led to his arrest.