“NOT SHREWD ENOUGH"

Dominion, Volume 18, Issue 55, 29 November 1923, Page 6

“NOT SHREWD ENOUGH"

AN AMATEUK SGQKMAKER

MAKES BETS WITH CONSTABLE

Er TuttrasEJUrnt —Pr.nss A-sscceaudn. Christchurch, November 28.

In the Magistrate’s Court to-day, Percv Hoss was charged on three counts with having entered into bets with. Constable Atkins on the itesult of races at Riccarton and Addington. Chief-Detective Cameron said the defendant was a barman. The constable had none to him and made bets under instructions. “Almost everv time I pick up a newspaner.” said the Magistrate, Mr. Wvvern 'Wilson. “I see= something about what the bookmakers are doing. If sportino' writers can obtain this information. surely the police can. Mr. C. Thomas (who appeared lor the defence), said that Ross had been tenwtcfl to take on bookmaking, ho was not shrewd enough:- He had taken bets with people who were absolute strangers to him. It w.as the first offence that Ross, had committed. ’lhe Magistrate said that it was. a difficult thing to know what to do with tho bookmaker. Bookmaking led to laziness and impurity m racing sport, and thus it had been declared illegal. It was sought that the money should be, nut on a machine which could not get at riders or dope horses. . “It is ouito notorious.” said the Magistrate, “that there is a large amount of betting on races otherwise than through the. totalisator. and it seems to receive public countenance. It seems to be a matter of common knowledge, and nobodv seems to think it should stop Verv few cases m Court aro directed towards the (suppression of the bookmaker. When a man is brought nn on such an infneouent, charge and it is his first offence. I do not think it is a case for imprisonment. Detenuant' is fined £lO on each of the three charges. This amount will bo payable at the rate of £2 10s. per week.