FROM DOLE TO BOOK

Greymouth Evening Star, 15 November 1938, Page 2

FROM DOLE TO BOOK

NOVEL PLEA ADVANCED [per press association.] DUNEDIN, Nov. 15. A unique plea for a , bookmaker, Eric Reid, charged witli using premises as a gaming house, was made by counsel, in the police court.

While not putting the fact forward in extenuation, counsel pointed out that three years ago Reid was on relief. There, was something to be said for a man now saving the taxpayer, even though at an occupation unrecognised by the Government. The Magistrate remarked that while the betting done was not large, there was one item of significance in the material before him, a Bookmakers' Association’s book of rules, which indicated that Reid was a regular practitioner. Reid was fined £35.

FINES AT AUCKLAND

AUCKLAND, November 15

For bookmaking in hotel bars during the Christchurch racing carnival, three men appeared voluntarily on summons, in the Police Court, to-day.

Janies Percy McCabe, 4S. insurance agent, who had two previous convictions under the Gaming Act, was fined £7O, or two months’ imprisonment. John Cornelius Mangan, 51, labourer. was lined £ 15, <>r three weqks’ imprisonment. Charles Tretheway, SS. who had one previous conviction for gaming, was liiuid £7o or two months’. He was allowed two weeks in which to pay. KE El’l NG GAMING-HOUSE. PALMERSTON N„ November .11. A line of £25 was imposed on Clifford Sydney Trask, in the Magistrate’s Court to-day, on a charge of keeping premises as a common gaming-house. I he police said that the accused was a small bettor and had not been before the Court previously.