DETECTIVES BUSY

Evening Post, Volume CI, Issue 52, 2 March 1921, Page 4

DETECTIVES BUSY

ALLEGED ILLICIT BETTING

AN ARREST AND A FINE,

(BI TIUO.IAML— V&iItt 1SI«:1TIO.N.)

AUCKLAND, Ist March. ■Setting out on the trail of suspected bookmakers yesterday afternoon, Detec-tive-Sergeant Hammond and Detective ! Sullivan marked down a motor-car standing in Shortlandsstreet arid a man adjacent thereto, as likely subjects for investigation in view of the variety of outward forms taken by modern boo]<making in New Zealand. 'Consequently fcoththe man, Cornelius M'Devitt, aged 33, and-the motor-car were taken into custody and submitted to an examination that resulted in M'Devitt'fi arrest on ithe charge of carrying' on the illicit business *>f bookmaliing. Immediately afterwards the ..detectives 'hastened to a. fruit shop at Symoiidsstreet, and there took charge -of a.n employee named Charles Lawson, aged 64. .

A ring at- the shop telephone took Detective Hammond to the machine at this stage. . ■''■'•

/'That you, Charlie?" inquired a voice over the wire.

"Yes," responded the detective, in fruity voice.

"Right-o! :£l on Infante, and, if funds, £1 on. Nunßrrant," ordered the voice? adding, "Look out, .Charlie; there's a scare on, and Con. '. M'Devitt's pinched."

The detective concluded to spread the. scare, so he replied : "Yes, Charlie's pinched, too, and you; will be pinched presently." Lawson came before Mr. J. W. Poynton, .S.M., thjs morning, charged that he carried on business as a bookmaker, and that he kept No. 225, Symondsstreet, for the purpose of gaming within the meaning of the Gaming Act. He stated that. he did not quite- appreciate the position, as he had been informed that the charge of keeping • a gaminghouse was ro be withdrawn.

The Chief-Detective : "Tf he admits being a bookmaker, I shall not go bn now with tlie other charge, and will report the matter to my superior officers."

His Worship,: "Arp both the charges on the same facts?"—" Yes, sir."

"In that event," explained his Worship'to the defendant, "the police are not likely to, proceed with the second charge if they get a conviction on the other;, they never do." Defendant : "If they miss you on one of the swings, they catch you on the round-about." •

Defendant pleaded guilty, electing not to go to the Supreme Court, and Detective Hammond detailed the circumstances of arrest, and of. conversation on the telephone, Defendant stated "he did not own or ■lease the "fruit-shop, but was employed there, and had been employed thers about fourteen years. He ha<f-iiow lost his employment. He »aid he was 55 years of age, and had no means. The Magistrate, convicted the defendant, and finetf him £200, in default six months' imprisonment, but allowed him ■twenty-one days'in which to find the money. Cornelius M'Devitt pleaded not guilty to a charge of carrying on business'as a. bookmaker, and elected to go to the Supreme Court for trial, .He was remanded on bail for a week.