NOTES FROM WANGANUI.

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 766, 15 March 1910, Page 7

NOTES FROM WANGANUI.

; BOOKMAKER WHO COULD NOT PAY. (By Teleeranh.—Soecial Corrcssondcnt.l Wanganui, March 14. Tenders are to be called within a week or so foe the erection of the new convent in Wanganui, which will probably be erected in Guyton Street. . The case against Barns, a bookmaker, and his clerK, Coakley, the former of whom was: charged witn theft as a result of failing to pay out alter the Wanganui Stakes was Uecided last Saturday, was concluded at the Magistrate's Court this morning. In convicting accused, the magistrate stated that Barns had attracted a very considerable amount of •business by -'giving better odds than the other bookmakers present, and it would appear that he had not had any intention ol paying his debts to those who had betted with him. Mr. ICerr went further, and added that he . believed that he was warranted in saying that Barns did not even intend' to refund the money deposited with him, or else he would never Have parted with the .£4O which .he gave ,to Coakley to hold for him. As to Coakley, he must have known what Bar/is's position Was, and,. in taking away the ,£4O, he aided Barns to defraud the public. Barns was sentenced to two months' imprisonment, and Coakley to one month in the Now Plymouth Gaol. Leave to appeal, was granted, security. ,being fixed at a' bond of .£SO and two sureties of .£25, or one of =250 in each case. ■ • ' _ Several additional bands arrived to-day for the contest, amongst them being the Wellington Tramway Band, who were met by the Reception Committee and conducted to the Criterion Hotel.