WOMAN BOOKMAKER.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIII, Issue 262, 4 November 1932, Page 7

WOMAN BOOKMAKER.

CAUGHT AT AVQNDALE. TELEPHONE IN HOUSE. MAGISTRATE'S QUESTIONS. "This is the first time I have ever 'appeared' for a bookmaker," said the Rev. Jasper Calder, city missioner, in the Police Court this morning, when he spoke on behalf of Mrs. Lavinia Baker, who pleaded guilty to two charges of laying totalisator odds on the Avondale Stakes and Avondale Cup at the Avondale Jockey Club's course on October 15.

Detective-Sergeant Kelly said Mrs. Baker had been seen taking bets on the course. She took a 5/ bet and later accepted a half-crown wager from a constable. When accosted she only had 6/9, but she had a female companion and admitted that she had transferred certain notes and betting material to another woman. "Her husband was previously convicted of a similar offence and, of course, he is barred from going on racecourses, so I suppose she is taking up the running for him," said Mr. Kelly. Defendant had never been in trouble before. She had previously been warned by detectives about betting.

Mr. Calder produced two pawn tickets and said that Mrs. Baker had obtained two loans upon her furniture. That would show she was in poor circumstances. Her husband was on relief work and there were two children. "It was very foolish of her, I know, but still I don't think she was taking anything but small wagers, which started when she took one or two to oblige her friends," said Mr. Calder. "However, she now assures me that she is going to give it all up. This is the end of the section " Detective-Sergeant Kelly: Which section, Mr. Calder? (Laughter.) Mr. Calder: The terminus. (Laughter.) Detective Sergeant Kelly: Mr. Calder says the woman is poor, but I would like to know why there is a telephone on her house. Probably that is for her husband to ring up the Labour Bureau to see what work is offering. "No, nothing of the sort," said Mr. Calder. "I have the woman here who owns the house where Mrs. Baker lives. It is her telephone, used for quite another purpose." "telephones are sometimes used for bookmaking," smilingly suggested Mr. McKean. "Whose name is the 'phone listed under?" Mr. Calder: Not Mrs. Baker's, sir. "Yes, and a lot of telephones used for betting are not listed on the directory," said Mr. Kelly. "We cannot trace them at all." "Ah, but such a clever man as Mr. Kelly could trace the owner of such 'phones," said Mr. Calder, amidst laughter. Mr. Calder asked the magistrate to impose a light fine, and also to give defendant time to pay.

Mr. McKean fined defendant £2 and costs 19/ on one charge and £1 and costs 19/ on the other. Two weeks were allowed in which to pay.