A BETTING RAID

Gisborne Times, Volume LXIII, Issue 10140, 28 October 1925, Page 6

A BETTING RAID

MAN FINED, £IOO.

BETS TOTAL £47 IN HOUR AND QUARTER

PALMERSTON N., Oct. 27. Arising out of a raid by police yesterday- Alfred Granville Sliearsby (30) appeared before Mr Stout, S.M.,’ at the Magistrate’s Court this morning on a charge that on October 26 at Palmerston North and on divers dates between October 10 and 23, being occupier of 63 Chelwood street he did use such place as a common gaming house.

Accused, through his solicitor, Mr Ongley, pleaded guilty. “This man”, said counsel, ‘.‘admits the offence with which he is charged. All 1 can say in extenuation is that Tie is not one of the big men, nor is he an aggressive type. He has not caused any trouble to the police, and does not frequent the town or hotels for the purpose of betting. He is a man who hears an excellent character, and has never previously been before the Court on any charge” Detective Sergeant Quirk said accused had been hotting for a considerable time, being in a fairly large way of business. When the raid was made yesterday tlie police had taken £47 in bets over the telephone in. an hour and a-quarter. Accused also had been doing a fairly large business in the country, and had a Post Office box under the name of “Anderson.” He had elaborate code arrangements for doing business with various places ’in the North Island. Owing to the large scale on which accused was doing; business’ lie would ask for. the maximum "fine to be imposed. In imposing the maximum jfine, £IOO, the Magistrate said, she accused would have, been liable to a greater penalty if lie had been charged with bookmaking.—P.A.