"A MENACE."

Auckland Star, Volume LXX, Issue 139, 15 June 1939, Page 12

"A MENACE."

JACK-POT MACHINES.

POLICE ON PROFITS.

" MUST BE WIPED OUT."

WARNING BY MAGISTRATE.

In dealing with two shopkeepers who appeared before him in the Police Court this morning for using their premises as common gaming houses, and who liad operated "jack-pot" or fruit machines, Mr. ('. U. Orr Walker, S.M., issued ii •warning 'hit heavier fines would in future be i-n posed. Such machines, he said, must be wiped out. Clarence George Hens m (38) pleaded guilty to a charge that, being the occupier of premises at 285, Karangahape Road, he i'sc.l them as a common gaming house on .lone 10. Mr. George Skelton appeared for | Henson.

Detective-Sergeant McHugh said that in consequence of complaints that Henson was using- "jack-pot " machines in the rear portion of his premises, which were those of a milk bar. the police obtained the necessary evidence anil raided the premises under a search warrant last Saturday. The two machines seized were instruments of gaming. "\\ e have had numerous complaints, including some from parents of children who play on fruit machines," added Mr. McHugh. "These machines are a public nuisance. Henson is a man of good character and has never been in any trouble before."

On behalf of Henson Mr. Skelton said the charge should be distinguished from a gaining offence such as twii-up or hookmakiiig. With Henson it was not a question of running school. His was a genuine milk bar business and the operation of the two machines was only an incidental sideline in which lie made a loss.

Unlucky Thirteen. "Something went wrong with .Hie machine on the day the police raided the shop," Mr. Skelton said. "It started to throw jack-pots nearly every time it was played. It paid five and lie lost ,€l:s which he put in just before the police arrived." Mr. Orr Walker: Thirteen was an unlucky number, evidently. Mr. Skelton: Yes, sir. I think the police did him a good turn in taking the machine off him.

In ::n| using a fine of £10. the magistiate remarked tl r.t Henson knew it was illegal to operate such machines. Mr. Skelton 'asked that the money contained in the machines should be returned to Henson. Detective-Sergeant McHugh: T ask your Worship not to make an order ill ves]K".-t of the money. It is a matter for subsequent action. Xo order was made iu regard to the money, but the magistrate ordered both machines to he destroyed, "Big Profit In It." Charged with being the occupier of

premises at •5, France Street which he used us a common gaming hou«e oil • hnic 10, C i vile l.angley Daltun (37), a hairdresser, pleaded guilty. I Dalton. said Detective-Sergeant MeHugli, iiad one machine in his shop and another in Henderson's shop. "We can j bring evidence that one of these machines i will show a profit of £70 per week.'' he ' added. "All classes of persons play on , the machines. The police have received ' complaints, including one about a boy j who lost all his earnings, while some I others have committed crime, this being' brought about purely by playing on j fruit machines. They are becoming a 1 menace in the city. Those that operate them wouldn't take the risk if there was not a<-big profit in it." | On behalf of Dalton. Air. Skelton said ; his client did not apprec.aU- the serious- ' ness of the offence he had committed: and that his premises would be classed ' as a common gaming house because he ■ had one fruit machine there. In this! ease, too, it was an incidental line. At I no time were children ever allowed to play the machine. Dalton had never been in any trouble before and now that his machine, which was worth £40, would Im> destroyed he would be a heavy loser. Detective-Sergeant McHugli: i forgot to mention that the police found on Dalton's premises this small push l>oard, i which is worth £2."). It is purely a j gambling frame. j Mr. Skelton: Dalton denies that it is! his property. It wag probably left by somebody else. Mr, Orr "Walker: It all jroes to show the prevalence of the gambling spirit. Dalton was fined £10. The magistrate | made an order for the destruction of the j fruit machine. I "If the police bring any more of these cases heavier fines must l»e imposed on the operators," said the magistrate. "These machines must be wiped out." j Deteeti ve-Serceant McHujsh: I am) very <rlad to bear your Worship say i that. We hope to have a whole lot more j soon. i * i