DETECTIVES’ RAID

Dominion, Volume 30, Issue 42, 13 November 1936, Page 15

DETECTIVES’ RAID

Gaming-house Charges

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FINES OF £lOO AND £75

By Telegraph—Press Association.

Auckland, November 12.

As the result of a raid by 15 detectives yesterday afternoon on six premises in the city, six men were charged at the Magistrate's Court today with using premises as common gaming-houses and six with being unlawfully on such premises.

In fining one man £lOO, Mr. Wyvern Wilson, S.M., commented on the bad effect of “betting shops,” and referred to those who conducted them as “parasites.” Ernest Llewellyn Jones, aged ob, wool-classer, was charged with using premises as a common gaming-house, and Walter Harold Downey, aged 30, labourer, with assisting. Both pleaded guilty. They were represented by Mr. F. W. Schramm, who said that Jones had been in bad health and had adopted this illegal means of supplementing his income. He was of good character and reputation, an honest citizen who had never “welshed” anybody. The magistrate: I don’t think a man can be said to be an honest citizen who earns a livelihood by breaking the law.

“Opinions sometimes differ, your Worship,” said Mr. Schramm. “Some laws have not behind them the force and backing of public opinion.” The magistrate: My opinion is that it is worse not to have laws enforced than to have them on the Statute Book and disregarded. I don’t think it can be said that the law has not the backing of public opinion, otherwise it would not be there. Mr. Schramm admitted that a magistrate had to administer the law. Jones was fined £lOO and Downey £25. in default 14 days’ imprisonment. The police said that three men found on these premises were on sustenance. “The fact that they are on sustenance is a very strong Indication of the bad effect of these betting shops,” said the magistrate. He added that “parasites” lured them in to part with their few shillings. Each of the men was fined £2.

Arthur George Williams, aged 41, tobacconist, was fined £75 for using prq; raises as a common gaming-house. The other cases were remanded for a week ou the application of counsel.