ALLEGED GAMING HOUSES

Dominion, Volume 20, Issue 258, 30 July 1927, Page 7

ALLEGED GAMING HOUSES

“RABBIT” GAME AT WINTER SHOW COURT RESERVES DECISION s SEVERAL MEN CHARGED r i , " Ihe “rabbit” game now being played at the Winter Show formed the sub- ' ject of lengthy discussion in the Magistrate’s Court yesterday, when a num- ' her of showmen were charged with having assisted to conduct common gaming houses in shed -*5 on the Ihorndon Wharf, and shed 29 on the ’ King’s Wharf, two buildings that arc being used by the Wellington Winter Show Association. The names of those ’ charged were Leslie Herbert, George Pitcher, Basil Henry, Flemming, and James Souness, who were connected with the booth in shed 45; ■ and David Victor McCorkindale, Roland McKinley, and Arthur Bell, who were employed in the stall m shed 29. , Jesse McCorkindale, a showman, of Auckland, who was also charged with keeping the stalls as common gaming houses, had his case adjourned for one week, on the application, of Mr. A. M. Cousins, who represented all the parties, with the exception of Bell, for whom Mn J. S. Hanna appeared. Chief-Detective Ward, who prosecuted, said that, it would be proved the game of rabbits was a game of chance, and one of chance only. The game encouraged gambling, and was a menace to public morals, therefore making the stalls common gaming houses at common law. Jfr. G. Mitchell, secretary of the Wellington Winter Show Association, said that McCorkindale had paid £lOO for tlie rent of his stall in shed 45, and £75 for the space iu shed 29. This was, ho said, much larger than was the case in other booths, on account ’of no percentage being paid. In his opinion, the games, which were very popular ones, were well conducted and not injurious to public morals. Robert Edmonds, secretary of the Wellington Manufacturers’ Association, said he agreed with Mr. Mitchell’s views. Ho had played the game and thought it one of skill.

Detectives’ Evidence. Detective W. R. Murray said that, in company with Detective Tricklebank, ho had watched and played the game many times. He had seen adults of both sexes playing, as well as girls and youths in their teens. The “'rabbit” game was a mechanical device operated by electricity. There were twelve small tin imitation rabbits, each of which was attached to an endless chain. These moved up a boarded slope in a groove, being propelled by means of a rubber ball which each competitor endeavoured io perk with a lever into, a box. Twelve competitors took pnrt in every gnme, paying sixpence each to enter. The prize, a box of chocolates, would cost wholesale Is. Cd. Witness wont on io say that there was a noticeable difference in the levers, some being much easier to operate than others. Then again jumps made by the different rabbits were by no means equal. "I asked Pitcher, ’ said the detective, "whether, if one rabbit kept winning all the time would he make any adjustments to. alter the position. 'Yes,” replied Pitcher, ‘it would not do to have ono rabbit winning all the time. ,If that' happened we would get no business.’" Detective Tricklebank gave corroborative evidence. Machines “Very Rough.” John Cotter,' chief mechanic of the Wellington Telephone Exchange, gave evidence as to having examined*-the two rabbit machines. “I consia*ed they were very rough,” ho said. The electrical circuits varied, and there were many other defects which made the players’ chances unequal.” The Court then adjourned in order that His Worship (Mr. E. Page, S.M.) could inspect the machines in shod 45. Tho first witness for the defence after iho luncheon adjournment was Leslie Herbert George Pitcher, manager of the stall in shed 45. Ho said tho game was ono of skill, and an export could beat a non-playcr almost every time. Two independent witnesses who hud played the. game consistently of late gave corroborative evidence. Arthur Bell said ho had > only been employed in the "rabbit game” stall since it started at this year’s show. He had never previously been a showman. Mr. Cousins then addressed the Court at §omo. length, stating that, in his opinion, the case should be dismissed. The game had been played nt the last Winter Show and also at tho Dunedin Exhibition. It had also been played elsewhere on subsequent occasions, but the police had not previously taken any action. “I submit, Your Worship,” continued Mr. Cousins, "that if tho defendants are liable then tho Winter. Show Association is liable also. There is nothing in the game, to prove injurious to public morals, for it .is not played in the different streets as the ‘roll-down’ game used to be. It is confined only to the Winter Shoa’, and people who play have first of all to pay is. to enter." “An Innocent Party.” Mr. Hanna said that, even if tho defendants were convicted, the Court had the power to dismiss the information against Bell, who was an innocent party, fie had come over from Australia in June and taken a position in, tho stall because he required work of some kind. He had been told that tho game was a legal one, and had never been connected with showmen in his life before. The Court reserved its decision.