44 STATE FIRST."

Auckland Star, Volume LXVIII, Issue 44, 22 February 1937, Page 9

44 STATE FIRST."

PAYMENT OF FINE.

SILVER BETTER CAUGHT.

XXOXDEXT AT TROTS.

To a summons charge of carrying on the business of a bookmaker on February 17, a salesman, Frederick .John Basham, pleaded guilty in the Police Court this morning.

It was stated by Detective-Sergeant MeHugh that while the trotting meeting was in progress at Epsom on Wednesday last Baeham wax on the outside of the course making bets. A constable had no trouble in making some hots with Basham and actually collected a small dividend from him. A single man, Basham had never been in any trouble before. No oth«r complaints about betting had been received.

Mr. F. W. Schramm said Basliam was a salesman and this was the first occasion he had taken on the illegal game of betting. The amounts of the bets taken were very small and Basham was only a silver better. He did not intend to carry on again. He was of good character and an honest man.

"This class of offence seems to be becoming common." eaid Mr. W. R. McKean, S.M. "Here's a single man who does it not for amusement but for profit, apparently. He will be fined £20."

When counsel asked for time to pay the magistrate said Basham ha 1 £27 on him when he was caught and could pay the fine out of that.

"But most of that money is not his," said Mr. Schramm. "He wants to pay out to hi« clients who struck hi.n. Can he not have 48 hours in which to pay'."

The magistrate replied that he did not see why the State should have to wait. The State must come first.