GO AND HAVE HIS LUNCH

Evening Star, Issue 19550, 7 May 1927, Page 11

GO AND HAVE HIS LUNCH

. JUDGE TO BOOKMAKER

[Pen United Press Association. j

AUCKLAND, May 6. The trial of Thomas Jackson, an elderly man,,, on a charge of bookmaking at the Waikato Trotting Club’s meeting at Epsom in March, took place in the Supreme Court to-day. The police evidence was to the effect that accused was approached by several men who gave him money, whereupon 'accused made entries on the inside of a cigarette packet. One constable gave him 6s for a horse which lost, and later made a bet with marked coins, which were found in the sum of £34 10s which accused had in his possession when arrested.

Mr M‘Liver, for accused, contended that the evidence was flimsy, and insufficient to justify a conviction. Summing up, Mr_Justice_ Stringer said the Legislature in its wisdom had legalised the totalisator and derived therefrom very considerable revenue. In order to protect it the Government had gone further, and had made it an offence against the law for any person to carry on the business of a bookmaker. However, as the law stood, it must be obeyed. It was for the jury to decide on a verdict of “ guilty ” or “ not guilty,” and they alone must adjudicate. The jury retired to consider the verdict, and accused was about_ to be ushered below to come up again when called on, but His Honor,, pointing out that the steps were difficult, directed that Jackson should be allowed to wait, and to have a chair whilst doing so. “ Tell him he can go out and have his lunch if he wants to,” added His Honor. “The court will resume, at a quarter past. 2.” -. The jury subsequently returned a verdict of not guilty.