GAMING PROVED.

Auckland Star, Volume LVIII, Issue 246, 18 October 1927, Page 5

GAMING PROVED.

ROTORUA BILLIARD SALOON.

POLICE ANSWER TELEPHONE,

A MAORI CONVICTED.

(By Telegraph—Own Correspondent.)

ROTORUA, this day.

The sequel to a recent police raid on a billiard saloon was heard yesterday afternoon before Mr. W. G. Kenrick, S.M., when Hori Mau (Mr. Roe) was charged with using the saloon and another room as a common gaming house. Detective Sweeney prosecuted. Mau pleaded guilty to using the room as a common gaming house, but not the billiard room.

Geoffrey Rogers (Mr. Carter) was charged with assisting Mau. The cases were taken together. Constable Johnson stated that he accompanied Detective Sweeney and other members of the police force to Moore's Buildings on Saturday last. He pointed out Rogers to the sergeant at the entrance to the billiard saloon. Detective Sweeney accompanied him along the passage, and they met Mau there and went into a room near the billiard saloon. The detective told Mau who he was and brought him into the room. Mau told the detective that he occupied the room they were in and also the billiard saloon. Acting on instructions, the constable took charge of the telephone.

Mr. Roe strongly objected to certain evidence, but was over-ruled.

Witness said the telephone rang and the constable answered it and said Mau was there. A voice then said, "I want £1 on Wild Pigeon."

Another ring came, and someone said, "Where is Hori?" The constable said, "He is here." The voice then said, "How is business?" The constable replied, "Bad." Several other people rang up and wanted to put money on the races which were being run that day. Witness said he saw Detective Sweeney and the sergeant search the room and take certain exhibits away. He was present at the police station when defendant Mau was searched, and he had £27 with him.

To Mr. Carter: He was in the room about 1J hours. When the telephone was answered the name of Rogers was not mentioned. There was no telephone connection with any other room so far as fie could see. He thought he heard Mau state to the detective or the sergeant that the billiard saloon was leased to Rogers.

Sergeant Cooper corroborated Constable Johnson's evidence. He said he had no conversation with Rogers at all. His name did not appear in connection with any of the exhibits.

After Constable Watters and Detective Sweeney had given evidence, the hearing was adjourned until to-day.

When the hearing was resumed this morning the prosecution called Messrs. Fowkes, Kirkwood and Blakely (borough inspector).

The magistrate decided that there was no evidence on which to convict Rogers, and he was discharged.

Detective Sweeney said Mau's betting transactions extended over twelve months, and that Heerdegen, late postmaster at Ngongotaha, had made a statement that most of the money which he had embezzled had gone into Mau's hands.

Mau was convicted and fined £40 nnd costs.