BOOKMAKING PROVEN

Hawera Star, Volume L, 30 July 1930, Page 5

BOOKMAKING PROVEN

CONSTABLE'IS BET TAKEN AFTER THE RACE WAS RUN (By Telegraph—Press Association.) WELLINGTON, July 29. Three charges of 'carrying on (business as ai bookmaker in' Wellington were brought against Stanley William Findlay ini the 'Supreme Court to:-day before the Chief Justice (Sir (Michael Myers) amid ial jury. He was found guilty and wins remanded until Friday ■for sentence. Air lAlaleaissey (Orolwn prosecutor) said! that tide -offences' loeicmbred, on April 19, 21 and 26. Two police offiicers visited the To Aro Hotel, where one -of them asked if lie could 1 place <a bet. Ac'eused was in a room adjoining the bar, and he .came out. He took a bet of 10s on. a horse at Tauhercnikaii races, and also on other horses •subsequently. Accused was arrested and -a substantial amount of money, betting slips, race 'books and' account books, etc., was taken by the police. Constable Campion said he visited the Te Aro Hotel on April T 9 and entered the private bar, whore We saw Findlay and made a bet of 30s on Dainty Day at the Tauber en'iku.u rates. Ho subsequently had other betting trams act ions with accused.

To a'eeused'counsel (Air Leicester) witness said lie went to the, hotel for n'o other purpose than to get a belt on with a'eeused. The bet on Dainty Day was made at 3.54 pan. Air Leicester pointed out that that was 19 minutes after the race had started.

Witness said he, reckoned on the race taking place .about 4 o ’clock. He did not know the race had taken pla'ee at the time and that he did not get a run for his’ money. On April 26 witness (Won't to the. hotel again, and on a signal l from him Dectcetive Murray and his officers fallowed. Accused was arrested.

Constable Lockio gave evidence -as to visiting the hotel and endeavouring to gelt a bet on with Findlay, -who refused, .saving he. .did not bet) with Strangers.

Detective. Murray said he went to the hotel on April 26, where he saw ace used l .and arrested him an a. warrant. Ho lead £42 in notes and £1 Us 5d in change. A quantity of betting 'material: was seized.

Accused tdid not go in'to the witness box. Air Leicester submitted that the •Crown, sought to prove that the betting material found in tire room belonged to accused because, the writing huso me of the papers corresponded with his signature in the “property’’ book at the police, station. Was it likely that a bookmaker would accept a bet 3 9 minutes after a. race Iwas run? If he did he woulld' be regarded as a very dishonest bookmaker.

Go urns fi. quoted the Oxford Dictionary as to the meaning of betting, which was 'to the effect that it was a wager on. ,an unieert'ain event.. 'ln. regard to the belt on Dainty Day he urged that the race had taken place, so that it was not a, wager orn something uncertain. In regard to other bets the|rei was little dot no bo rat ion. The use of the room was open to other people, in. tlho hotel.. His Honour 'briefly summed up a nidi the .jury after an. absence of about 40 minutes found accused guilty. He was remanded till Friday far sentence.