"HIS BAPTISM."

Auckland Star, Volume LXVII, Issue 285, 1 December 1936, Page 8

"HIS BAPTISM."

BOOKIE FINED £30.

"IMPUDENT," SAYS S.M. WEEK-END ACTIVITIES. A soft goods traveller who turned bookmaker on Saturday and was cayglit yesterday, when his office premises were raided by Detectives Sneddon and Millar, made his first appearance in the' Police Court, before Mr. Wyvern Wilson, S.M., this morning.

Ho was Frank Dicker Russell, aged 42, described on the charge sheet as a traveller. Russell, for whom Mr. Bryce Hart appeared, pleaded guilty to using premises at 103, Hobson Street, as a common gaminghouse.

Detective Sergeant A. G. Mcllugh said a constable had no difficulty in backing a double and placing a straightout bet on November 28. Yesterday morning the same constable backed a 10/ double and received a confirmation. The odds of tlio double were £75 to 10/. At 3.30 p.m. yesterday Detectives Sneddon and Miller executed a search warrant at the premises, which were fitted up as a bookmaker's establishment, the usual betting material being seized. Russell's betting slips showed that for Saturday and yesterday he had taken 297 bets, totalling £74 for the two days. "A week or so ago a man named Curran was sent to prison for two months on a similar charge," said Mr. Mcliugh. "This man, Russell, has started business only a few doors away from Curran's old premises."

Mr. Hart: He did not even know Curran. Russell happened to be in the same street, Hobson Street, that's all. The whole circumstances suggest that he was only in a small way of business.

"I would have inflicted a fine of £25, usually imposed upon first offenders, but in view of the fact that he started near the place where another bookmaker carried on, I will increase the fine to £30," sriid Mr. Wilson.

The magistrate fixed the default at one month's imprisonment.

Found in Gaming House,

Two men who'were charged with being found in a common gaining house, Roy Morrison, af*ed 42, boardinghouse keeper] and Peter Kogan, seaman, ag»*d !>4, both pleaded guilty and were each fined £1 and costs.

Mr. Bryce Hart said Russell was having hie baptism in bookmaking. He was a traveller in soft goods, but owing to an accident, which' affected hie hands and face, he was unable to drive a car and carry on his former occupation. "This is his first attempt at> bookmaking," added Mr. Hart. "He started only on Saturday. He did not have the ordinary set of books that confirmed bookmakers have, and there was no elaborate set of books."

Detective-Sergeant McHugli: He had everything that was necessary to carry on the business of a bookmaker.

Russell had never before appeared in any court, said Mr. Hart. "He started off on Saturday as an enthusiastic amateur," continued counsel. "Now he has got such a jolt in his initial attempt that I can assure the Court lie will not continue "

Mr. Wyvern Wilson: He hasn't got it yet, Mr. Hart.

Mr. Hart: Well, his arrest has given him a fright. He is not a man who has been flouting the law before, as others have done. This is his first appearance on any charge.

"It makes it a very impudent act by starting business almost alongside the premises used by a man recently sent to gaol for a similar offence," said the magistrate.