THE “CATSPAW”

Dominion, Volume 22, Issue 265, 5 August 1929, Page 18

THE “CATSPAW”

BOOKMAKER’S AGENT FINED £25 “This is another case of the ‘catspaw’ being caught,” stated Chief-Detective Lopdell in the Magistrate’s Court in rcference to a charge against Catherine Jones, aged 42, florist, of using her shop in Molesworth Street as a common gaming house. Defendant pleaded guilty. * According to the chief detective, it had been known that quite a number of women called at the shop on race days to make bets. Defendant was an agent of a bookmaker in Wellington, but carried on business for him in rather a big way, and had been doing so for between three and four years. Defendant, continued Mr. Lopdell, did not keep books. The police had aii agent working for them, and when she called on race days she had waited in a queue. The whole time the races were on there was a crowd in the shop, both old and young women being there. To the Magistrate (Mr. E. Page, S.M.) defendant, stated that she was not working on her own account. The chief detective added that the agents did not give their principals away. They received commissions, but had to take tlie risks themselves. The Magistrate remarked that it generally seemed to be the agents who were secured, not the principals, to which Mr. Lopdoll replied that the principals were careful. “I have nothing—no money.” said defendant. when the Magistrate imposed a fine of £25 costs. “Business has been so bad lately I was thinking of giving it up.” Tlie Magistrate stated that he thought the nrineinals should indemnify the agents, although ho sunnosed there-was no legal obligation for them to do so.