AUCKLAND BOOKMAKERS

Greymouth Evening Star, 3 January 1938, Page 5

AUCKLAND BOOKMAKERS

MEN AND WOMAN CONVICTED. [per press association.] AUCKLAND, January 3. Three bookmakers —a married woman and two men —who were operating on the hill enclosure at Ellerslie on Saturday, appeared at the Police •Court, to-day, before Mr. Hunt, S.M. Joseph Coleman Hickey, for whom Mr. F. W. Schramm appeared, pleaded guilty to a charge of bookmaking. The police said that Hickey was seen to take 34 bets, taking them as fast as he could go. Hickey should not have been on the racecourse, because of previous convictions. Such offenders were causing the racing authorities a lot of trouble, as they were in opposition to the totalisator. Mr. Schramm said that Hickey was a silver bettor. This was his first time at Ellerslie, and would be bis last. Mr. Hunt imposed a fine of £25. Hickey said fie could not pay. The police said that Hickey had £2l when caught. Hickey: I can’t pay. By the time 1 pay everybody, I have nothing left. Mr. Hunt: Well, go and work in the quarry. It's nice and warm up there. I give you 48 hours to pay. Selina Broadlcy, similarly charged, pleaded guilty, the police stating she took 41 bets. A young girl was assisting her by soliciting bets. She was I fined £lO.

John Alfred Gordon Bird pleaded not guilty to a similar charge. He was convicted and fined £l5.