SWEET OBLIVION

Hawera Star, Volume XLVIII, 31 October 1924, Page 5

SWEET OBLIVION

“TWO-UP” SCHOOL IN TRAIN. GAME ALONGSIDE DETECTIVE. A PLEA OF GUILTY. HAMILTON, Oct. 29. On their way to Hamilton to attend the Hunt races a party of mill hands from Mamaku whiled away their time oh Saturday’s train by indulging in the illegal game- of ‘‘two up.” Unfortunately for them they were oblivious of the fact that one of the other passengers in the car was Detective Cußoty, who was escorting a prisoner, from Rotorua. When the train reached Putaruru the ‘‘school” was evidently advised of his identity, and accordingly changed hurriedly to another carriage at Monrinsville. The detective found that the Thames train, which preceded the Rotorua train; was behind time. He therefore changed trains and arrived at Claudelands about twenty minutes before the Rotorua train, was due. He immediately ’phoned for - a party of policemen, who were all in readiness when the Rotorua train arrived. The “school” was still going strongly, and the entire party was arrested. The players, who answered the names of Willis A. Snelgar, Harry Saies, Stanley Gordon, John Smith, Wm. A. Pettit, and James Saies, appeared at~i;he Police Court, yesterday, charged with playing ‘‘two up” in a public place. In pleading guilty on behalf of the six defendants. Mr. W. J. King pointed out that each of his . clients bore excellent characters, and it was unfortunate for them that • they were detected in a little game that was doing neither themselves nor anyone else'any harm. _The stakes were small, and on the whole trip no one* lost or won more than 2s. .Counsel urged his Avorship To deal with the cases under the Justices of the Peace Act, under which trivial cases could be dismissed without the necessity of a conviction. If the offenders were convicted they would be debarred from entering a racecourse, and thus placed on the level or professional “spielers.” His Worship said that had the game been played in any other place than a railway carriage he would probably have acceded to the request, blit under the circumstances he could ; not IV h 1,5 w , ay clear to simply discharge thy offenders. Each. defendant was liable to a fine of £SO, but in view of t fayt that they all bore good characters thev would be merely cohvicted and fined £3 and’ costs. /