ALLEGED BOOKMAKING.

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume I, Issue 267, 31 October 1911, Page 5

ALLEGED BOOKMAKING.

[l-Klt PRESS ASSOCI VTIOX. I Wellington, Oct. 30. The hearing of the case in which ■I.-bn Smith (otherwise McCrae) and W. J. Drew were charged with illegal betting on Tr<nti'-un racecourse on Monday last was concluded in the Magistrate's Court, before Mr. W . J. Riddell. S.M.. to-day. Ditcefive Mm.cn corroborated Detective Kractzer’s evidence, and stated that, lie was positive that the two accused were .acting for the time being as bookmakers. They appeared to be working together, witness was quite certain that money passed between them and persons in the crowd on two or three occasions. AA’itiiess had not known the accused previously. Air. J. J. Mc-Gratb. coun.-.a-l for each accused, sa.'d he did not p.-epose t. call any evidence, as he was firmlv of I he opinion that there was no case to answer. The offence with which bis dii nts were charged was of a highly ciiminal nature, and it was the duty of the pri.scciition to prove the case without the slightest shadow of doubt. Counsel submitted that it was a eoninmn practice for a number < f people to make up tickets, also for persons atti tiding the races to

take •tit investments for those unable to attend. The defendants were empkyed by the Corporation and the gas company respectively, and it was q'litc feasible that the explanation of their conduct was that they had made up tickets among then' friends. The intrbs of the allegid bets barely aim unti d to £■>. and counsel held that there was no evidence that the entries were made by t’ne defendants er tlr.it they wire c iitries mule in connection with illegal betting. His AVorship roerved liis decision.