WOMEN FINED.

Auckland Star, Volume LXXI, Issue 309, 30 December 1940, Page 8

WOMEN FINED.

GAMING HOUSE BETS.

TELEPHONES AND CHARTS

As a result of a visit by Detectives Mahood and Gordon to 274, Queen Street, Onehunga, on Friday last, two women, Lilian Church, aged 32, clerk, and Hannah Elizalteth Gilmore, aged 44, domestic, were lie,fore Mr. J. Molding, S.M., in the PoIVo Court this looming. Church pleaded guilty to a charge of being keeper of the premises as a common gaming house, and Gilmore admitted assisting in the management of a common gaming house.

Detective-Sergeant Xakler said the police had received complaints regarding the premises and when the detectives went to the shop on the afternoon of December 27 they found Mrs. Gilmore in a room at the rear of the premises. On the table were two telephones and a number of double charts. There was also a paper with the winners marked and the dividends. Mrs. Gilmore told the detectives that she was running the place during the temporary absence of Mrs. Church, and about *4 p.m. the latter came in and frankly admitted she was the keeper of the premises. While they were there the detectives answered several telephone calls, including one from the Bookmakers' Association giving a result and dividends. Bets amounting to £74 16/ in amounts ranging from £10 to 2/0 had been laid that dav.

"On occasions Mrs. Church has failed to pay out when entitled to pay," said Detective-Sergeant Xalder. "and consequently we have received complaints. 'She is a divorced woman and has been betting about two years, but she has not been convicted. Mrs. Gilmore is a marrie<l woman, whose husband is serving with the overseas, forces. The evidence shows the business was organised and carried on in a large way." Mr. M. Robinson, counsel for the defendants, said Mrs. Oilmore was employed in a clothing factory, and was merely minding the office for Mrs. Church for an hour or two while Mrs. Church was in town. It was not correct that Mrs. Church did not pay. She •did not hold any bets of more than 10/ and the larger bets were taken by her as an agent. Mr. Morling: Tt, was an organised establishment Mrs. Church will be fined £.")0. I accept the explanation put forward on behalf of Mrs. Gilmore and she will be fined fa.