FORTUNE WASTED.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIV, Issue 16, 20 January 1933, Page 5

FORTUNE WASTED.

GAMBLED AWAY. SUM OF £24,000 VANISHES. BARRISTER SUED FOR DEBT. The story of a young barrister, who at baccarat and cliemin de fer lost a fortune which he inherited from liis father, was told in the King s Bench Division, London. He was Mr. Basil Bleck, of Harecourt, Temple, who. was sued for £1015 and interest by Societe du Casino Municipal de Juan-les-Pins. The hearing was adjourned. The drawing and dishonouring of the cheques were admitted, and Mr. Gilbert Reyfus, opening Block's case, explained that misfortunes befell him in the south of France. The cheques were dishonoured, not -for the reason that he refused to pay, but having lost all he had no more with which to pay. He had been in the habit of to Juan-les-Pins every summer from 1927 and playing baccarat and cliemin de fer. When he first went there his father had recently died. Mr. Bleck inherited approximately £30,000, and this had disappeared. _ .. Mr. Beyfus submitted that the action could not succeed because of the provisions of the Gaming Act. Such a debt could not be sued for in Britain, even 'though it might be recoverable in the country where the indebtedness was incurred. The casino's alternative claim I for money lent could not succeed be- | cause the lender was financially inter- | ested in the game at which the money was lost. Mr. Bleck stated in evidence that in the four years he was gambling' at Juan-les-Pins and- Cannes lie lost approximately £24,000. He now had .i post as a commercial -traveller. The manager of the plaintiff's gamin a rooms giving evidence, said: l always found Mr. Bleck to be a man of honour, and I still believe him to be so."