BOOKMAKING ALLEGED

Press, Volume LXXX, Issue 24369, 22 September 1944, Page 7

BOOKMAKING ALLEGED

DEFENDANT TO BE TRIED BY JURY

OTHERS CHARGED UNDER GAMING ACT

Evidence for the prosecution was heard before Mr Raymond Ferner, S.M., in the Magistrate’s Court yesterday in the case cf Arthur Leonard Albertson, who elected to be tried by a jury on a charge of carrying on the business of a bookmaker at Christchurch on August 5. The Crown Prosecutor (Mr A. T. Donnelly) prosecuted and Mr W, P. Tracy appeared for the accused.

Detective-Sergeant F. J. Brady said that for the last 15 months he had been investigating and prosecuting cases of bookmaking in Christchurch. On August 5 he executed a search warrant at 11 a.m. on premises occupied by accused at 243 Manchester street. In response to his knocking, he heard footsteps advance and then retreat to the rear of the building, and a back door banged.- Joseph Munro, who opened the door, was the only person found on the premises. An office inside was equipped with two telephones, a duplicator, a wireless receiving set, and a large amount of betting material. Both telephones were ringing continuously and 24 bets of a total value of £C2 10s were taken while the detectives were there. From records it was fojund that £595 had been taken in bets that morning. An addressing machine was also found equipped with 570 address plates. A number of the clients named on the plates were traced in an indexed accounts ledger, although most of the entries were under assumed names, names'of towns, or Christian names. Betting slips were produced to the Court, and also correspondence relating to betting, found in the office. A rubber stamp with the name of Chisnall and Albertson and another directing unclaimed correspondence to be returned to a box number, were also found, and also a bundle of cards with tire name and two office telephone numbers and one residence telephone number. Code Telegrams

A code cnart showing hpw bets coultf be sent by telegram and instructions that letters should be addressed to C. Chisnall, at a box .number, Christchurch, telegrams to "Wilwit,” and money order telegrams to Con Chisnall, were also put In by the detectives.

Detective-Sergeant Brady produced a master double chart for the Grand National and Winter Cup races on August 5. Printed double charts were also found up to a fifth print with different prices in the different editions, he said. The names of the horses corresponded with a certified race programme for the Canterbury Jockey Club’s Meeting on that day. Three exercise books dated July 22, July 29, and August 5, respectively, Showed bets taken by toll - telephone. While the detectives were on the premises Munro entered bets from the West Coast and Blenheim ; In the August 5 book. Paper similar to that on which the double charts were printed was found. “Association Rules” Cards headed “Association Rules” were found with rules for taking bets, on city and country meetings, limits to Investments, and other information. Detective E. G. Ward, during the detectives’ search, took bets from Frank Baird, Waiuta, West Coast, names corresponding with the address plates, Telegrams In code were found in an overcoat. A cheque dated August 4 for £3l 18s, signed by James Hassell, was also found. Hassell was a bookmaker operating in Greymouth, Detective-Sergeant Brady said. Two keys in the ccat pocket fitted mail boxes 749 and 1202 at the post office. In both boxes was correspondence addressed to Albertson. A hat with the fcoSt was stamped with the initials “A.A.” Other business correspondence addressed to Albertson, at the box numbers, was also found.

After the detectives had been on the premises for half an hour, the telephone rang and Munro answered it. DetectiveSergeant Brady said he recognised Albertson’s voice. He told Albertson that he had lost his head and run away and instructed hhji to come back as it was intended to charge him. Albertson said: "You’re making it tough on me," and he was told the detectives were carrying out instructions. Detective G. W. Alty had seen Albertson leave a shop a few doors away. Albertson said he would see his solicitor. Munro was fined £ls on August 7 for aiding in the offence. Albertson made a voluntary appearance in Court qn August 8 on the present charge. » Prosecution Witnesses

William George Weigel, a photographer, said he had placed bets with Albertson for about a year, receiving double charts, accounts, and cheques by mail. He won £l4 5s on two investments and was paid by a cheque signed by Chisnall and Albertson. Carbon copies of accounts found on Albertson’s premises corresponded with accounts he had received. He took a "concession bet” on As Required and Bashful Lady on the Grand National and Winter Cup races at the Grand National meeting. The telephone number used trf make bets was one of the telephones on Albertson's premises. Lan Thomas Mac Gibbon, accountant at the Bank of New Zealand, identified a bank statement and cheque books issued in the name of Chisnall and Albertson. For some time the account had been operated on by Albertson alone, he said. Leslie Leonard Smith, assistant accountant of the Municipal Electricity Department, said electricity was supplied to Albertson at the premises mentioned, and accounts sent to him.

David Turner, a typewriter mechanic, said he had received double charts and cheques in payment for bets from Albertson. The last payment was for £35 12s 6d. This corresponded with an entry In Albertson's books.

Russell Chalmers, a hairdresser and tobacconist, of Balclutha, said he had done betting by letter and telegram with Chisnall and Albertson for two or three years. He identified telegrams sent to Chisnall and Albertsdli by him in code concerning bets and telegrams received signed “Wilwit.”

Everett Jack, a post office official, produced records of several telephones with toll accounts. The name Albertson appeared among those who had made calls. The original of two telegrams lodged through two of these telephones and signed “Wilwit” were endorsed C. Chisnall. He also gave evidence about post office boxes used by Albertson. 1 £19,976 Paid Out Detective Alty produced a summary of payments made by cheque by Chlsnall and ' Albertson, between January 8 and July 29, 1944, totalling £19,976. Some of the cheque butts with entries about toll accounts corresponded with charges in toll and box accounts produced by the previous witness. There were cheque butts with entries of payments to some of the previous witnesses whose, accounts appeared in the ledger found on Albertson’s premises. Colin Campbell Chisnall, a farmer, of Rangiora, when asked what he knew about the telegrams signed "Wilwit," claimed the privilege of not answering as it might incriminate him. This was allowed and witness left the box, Albertson pleaded not guilty and was committed to the Supreme Court for trial. Bail was allowed at £IOO with one surety of £IOO. Charges of Betting Leslie James Coxon, hotel licensee, of Rangiora (Mr F. D. Sargent) was charged with making a bet with a bookmaker, Albertson, at Christchurch on August 5, and elected to be tried by a jury. Detective Sergeant Brady said that when Albertson’s premises were searched an addressing machine plate with Coxon’s name was found and also Coxon’s name in a ledger account and cheque book butts which showed that £llls had been paid out to Coxon, In a statement made to the police, Coxon said he had betted with Albertson for about six years. He admitted receiving the cheques mentioned, and said he had not made bets for anyone else nor was he an agent for Albertson. Detective-Sergeant Brady said that on Coxon’s till were double charts issued by Albertson and notes of four bets of £1 each. Accused pleaded not guilty and was committed to the Supreme Court for trial. Bail was fixed at £SO with one surety of Joseph Cannon, a.hairdresser and tobacconist, of Waiau (Mr Sargenth was 'charged with making a bet with a bookmaker, Albertson. He pleaded guilty and was fined £5. Leon Arundel Goldsmith, similarly charged, pleaded not guilty. Detective Ward said a bet was made for Goldsmith by telephone during the time he (witness) was accepting bets at Albertson’s premises. Interviewed, Goldsmith admitted placing the bets and said he arranged for someone else to make the investment for him. Mr Sargent said the ledger entries were not admissible and that during the time when Goldsmith was alleged to have made a bet by telephone he was attending the Synagogue, This evidence was supported bv Arthut Rose. ' 'The Magistrate said there was not sufficient evidence to connect accused himself with the bet, and the case was dismissed. Francis Baird, a billiards-room proprietor, of Waiuta, West Coast (Mr R» Twyneham), was also similarly charged and pleaded not guilty. Mr Twyneham objected to any records found at Albertson’s premises being admitted. He said there was no evidence to couple accused with the offence. The case was dismissed. Lloyd Wigzell, a fruiterer (Mr E. A. Lee), was similarly charged. The prosecution’s evidence was based ou records found by the detectives. Detective Alty said accused admitted to him that he received cheques from Albertson, the butts of which were found by the detectives in their search. , ,' . The»Magistrate said that the admission of accused placed this case in a different category from the others. Accused was fined £5.