BAR-ROOM BETS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVIII, Issue 45, 23 February 1937, Page 8

BAR-ROOM BETS.

SILVER BETTER CAUGHT.

DISABLED EX-SOLDIER FIXED.

"A constable found this man openly betting in the bar of a hotel on February 2d with all and sundry," said DetectiveSergeant McHugh, in referring to WilIliam Mclntosh, aged 40, who appeared in the Police Court this morning and pleaded guilty to a, charge of carrying on the business of a bookmaker on February 20. Mr. J. Terry appeared for Melntosh. Detective-Sergeant McHugh added that when searched by Detective Moore yesterday, Mclntosh had £8 in hie possession, which he said represented 42 bets he had taken. Mclntosh's betting material wae concealed under the carpet on the stairway of the hotel. "The woret feature of the caee is that no eteps were taken to stop his betting activities in this particular hotel," said Mr. McHugh. The case was an unfortunate one, eaid Mr. Terry, as Mclntoeh wae a permanently disabled soldier who, owing to his war injuries, wae unable to do any work. Two years ago he had been diecharged from hospital, ae medical science could do no more for him. He was suffering from arthritis of the hip and a double rupture. He was a married man with one child and was in receipt of a pension which he had tried to supplement by taking email bete. Mclntoeh only started a month ago. The £8 found on him represented hie two daye' takings, so he wae really only a small better and unable to pay a large monetary penalty. "I sympathise with him so far as hie disability Sβ concerned, but one cannot approve of hie method of making a livinp." said Mr. W. R. McKean, B.M. "Nearly 10 years ago he was convicted for laying tote odds and two years later for being found •in a common gaming house., These, 'small' men are probably a greater nuieanee than those who bet on a large scale. There eeems to be a great deal of thie smaller betting going on these days."

Mclntoeh -was fined £15, or one month's imprisonment.