NEW BETTING METHOD

Evening Post, Volume CXXVII, Issue 126, 31 May 1939, Page 17

NEW BETTING METHOD

OVERSEAS CRIMINALS

RESPONSIBLE

(By Telegraph—Press Association.) AUCKLAND, May 30.

A new method of betting, which was said to be gaining popularity among women and children in Auckland, was referred to in the Magistrate's Court during the prosecution of a man charged with bookfmaking last Saturday. The accused was Jack Thompson, hairdresser, who admitted the charge, but denied knowledge of the, system referred to. ......

Mr. C. R. Orr Walker, S.M., presided. Detective-Sergeant McHugh prosecuted, and the accused was represented by Mr. Hart. Detective-Sergeant McHugh said that the' accused was seen by two detectives acting in a suspicious manner at the Auckland Trotting Club's Winter Meeting. Wh^i accosted, he frankly admitted carrying on as a bookmaker. Records of 30 bets, amounting to £7 2s 6d, were found in his possession. . The accused .. also had double charts, showing odds at 50 to 1 on forthcoming races.

In his possession there was also material for the latest method of betting introduced to Auckland, Detec-tive-Sergeant McHugh added. The system involved picking four placed horses in four races, and was gradually getting into homes and among women and children. Mr. Hart- interposed that his client denied possession of this material. Detective-Sergeant McHugk added that the material represented a form of betting that had been introduced to New Zealand by four Australian, criminals.

The Magistrate said there might be something in the accused's story that the printed material was picked up. He would be treated as a first offender and fined £20.