POLICE RAID BETTORS

Dominion, Volume 26, Issue 32, 1 November 1932, Page 11

POLICE RAID BETTORS

Lively Scenes at Unofficial “Grandstand” ARRESTS AT GISBORNE By Telegraph.—Press Association. Gisborne, Oct. 31. For some years past a paddock running on to the back of the Makaraka racecourse has proved a popular rendezvous with a certain section of the public on race days, the crowd sometimes numbering 300 or 400. During the races last week the unofficial “grandstand” was as popular as ever, but among the crowd was a plainclothes constable from Whakatane.

On Saturday afternoon betting activities were in full swing, and “crown and anchor” was being played. One man, offering to take bets in silver, notes, of gold, was promptly met by a rival, who moved among the crowd, crying out: “I bet oh silver, gold, or diamonds.” When the excitement was at its height a party of police descended on the scene, and as a result seven men appeared before Mr. Harper, S.M., today.

Two men charged with playing a game of chance (“crown and anchor”) were fined £5 and £2 respectively, and their names were suppressed. For frequenting a public* place for the purpose of betting Cornelius Patterson, Michael Hannah, Victor Hannah, Thomas King, and Bernard George Gibson were each fined £2O and £2 costs.