HEAVY PENALTIES

Evening Post, Volume XCIII, Issue 136, 8 June 1917, Page 8

HEAVY PENALTIES

SEQUEL TO POLICE RAIDS

BOOKMAKERS IN COURT.

As the result of a series of raids carried out this week by Detective-Ser-

geant Cox, Detective Carney, and Constable Black, a number of persons ap-

peared before Mr. ,L. G; Reid,! S.M., in the Magistrate's Court to-day to answer charges .laid under the Gaming Act.

Chief-Detective Boddam appeared for the prosecution.,' : ;!',

. The first case taken .was .that; against Albert William Organ, who was charged ( on two informations that,,(being a book-.

maker, he bet on the licensed premises of the Grand Hotel. Defendant, who was represented by Mr. H. F. O'Leary, pleaded guilty. Chief-Detective Boddam said that defendant kept a bookstall in the vestibule of the Grand. Hotel, and carried on bookmaking—not in ja large way— in connection with the. business.

There was nothing previously known against him. :. , . ' , '.. ,^ After hearing Mr. O'Leary, the Magistrate imposed a fine of £25 on the first charge. The second information", was withdrawn. • ■ ■ '; ' CASE AGAINST PRICE. \

Mr. H. F. O'Leary also appeared for Gilbert Henry Price, hairdresser iand tobacconist, who was changed with being the owner and occupier of premises' in Lambton-quay, used as a com.

mon gaming house. Price pleaded guilty, .and in .view'of the fact that he was previously convicted in, 1914, the Magistrate imposed a penalty of £40. The alternative was fixed at two months' imprisonment. .

John Henry West .and Wipuki Smith, who admitted assisting in the conduct of the. house, were fined £20 and £101 respectively. In the case of West, the. alternative was fixed at one month in gaol, while Smith will have to spend '• 21 days in gaol if he fails to pay the fine. . . ' \

Ip the course of a statement, Mr. •; O'Leary said that Price was not a prin- i

cipal, but merely an agent on a commission. .

(Proceeding.)