IMPRISONMENT FOR BOOKMAKING.

Auckland Star, Volume LIV, Issue 292, 7 December 1923, Page 7

IMPRISONMENT FOR BOOKMAKING.

.(To.. v t*e Editor.) Sir, —Allow mc to express my opinion of the penalty meted out to a bookmaker in Auckland. : Counsel 'declared that' accused was an honest,'clean-living man who always met his obligations, yet for taking a few bets he is sentenced to one month's imprisonments. I- have travelled in many countries in my time, but never heard of such an. unreasonable conviction for such a small crime. Had the man taken the money :from some poor people and not met his obligations I could have understood the penalty, but as it is I think it is most unreasonable. According, to a report in the next column, another, man, for outrageous cruelty to dumb'animals, escaped with a fine of £3. tain not a bookmaker myself, nor do I know the "man referred to, but my experience of-:these sportsmen in towns where" they are licensed is that as a whole are honesty generous, and very liberal at charities, etc It is astounding to me-that I cannot get a bet without going to the totali-. sator for- it, but right or "wrong, it is a shame if a man' of sixty-eigfit years of age has to spend Christmas in. prison when he has done no harm to anybody.— I am, etc., ,-A.G.F.