Raid In Napier

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XVII, Issue 206, 15 August 1927, Page 4

Raid In Napier

Charges of Betting TWO MEN FINED TOTAL OF £75. THREE OTHERS FINED £lOO EACH ON GAMING HOUSE CHARGE. Five prominent Napier citizens appeared before Mr. A. M. Mowlem, S.M., at the Napier Magistrate's Court this morning as the result of a raid made by the police in certain quarters of the town. Mr, L, A. Kogers appeared for the accused, all of whom pleaded guilty. There was a full gallery. William Taylor was charged with street betting, Senior-Detective Butler stating that the accused had certain streets, in which he frequented, in the past for betting, He had not been working for some time and when arrested had £l9 14/- tn his possession. This w-as his first appearance in court on such charge. On behalf of Taylor, it was con tended by Mr. Rogers that he was a waterside worker but ill-health had compelled him to give this up. The accused then took over a billiai 1 saloon but this had also affected his health and he was now waiting to get into the Watersiders’ Union again. “The type of betting done by Taylor is known as ‘2/6 Doubles' and is therefore not verv extensive," commented Mr. Rogers. It was more or less a sweep, he pointed out, anJ added that the accused had been “struck’’ as someone had won ae winning double. “Bettimr is not his legitimate business,’’ stated Mr Rogers. His Worship: He has no billiard saloon and can’t get in the union then what is his legitimate business? Mr. Rogers: He is unemployed. Detective Burke: Taylor is not only a double chart better but is a straightout agent for a bookmaker A “SILVER’’ BETTOR. Relative to Thomas Cato Patterson. Senior-Detective Butler xplained that this was the accused’s second offence so far as this court was concerned as he was fined £25 on two charges in 1924. The accused followed street betting and was agent for a reputed bookmaker in big way. “We have only laid one information against him but we could have had quite a number,’’ stated the Senior-Detective. Con tinning the detective explained that Patterson had £l4 in his possession When arrested. Mr. Rogers, on behalf of the accused. pleaded leniency on the grounds that Patterson was an old man and a cripple. “He is known as a “silver” bettor and in con sequence was only betting in a srnai. way.” “Taylor will be fined £25 and Patterson £50.” decreed His Worship. The clerk added 101. costs to each amount. Mr. Rogers asked for time in which to pav the amount. “I don’t view this as a civil claim ' s a P un i s hment,” commented Mr. Mowlem, who allowed 48 hours. MODERN AND UP-TO-DATE. The cases dealing with James Basil Corless, Janies Samuel Golding, and Frank Hammersley Bax, who were charged with being the occupiers of premises used as common gaming houses, were taken together, Mr. L. A. Rogers also appearing for the accused. On behalf of the prosecution, Senior Detective Butler explained that Bax resided in McVay street, Napier, where he had a cqttage. For some time the accused had been doing nothing elite but betting, and for this purpose a room had been fitted with two telephones, one on each side of a desk, the bells had been muffled, and it had been ascertained that the ’phones were under a fictitious name. There was also an up-to-date wireless outfit in the room. The raiding officers were in the room from 2.30 p.m. till 3.37 p.m., and during that time 32 telephone calls were made all relating to betting. “This man is living in affulence, and his only apparent means of livelihood is betting. He has been previously convicted,” stated the detective. SHOP FULL OF “DUMMIES.” Relative to Corless, the detective stated that in this case the accused had a shop in Hastings Street, purporting to be a tobacconist’s shop with dwelling attached. A room had been fitted as an office with ’phone and table. “The tobacconist’s shop appeared, at a glance, to be genuine, but on examination it was found that the place was a dummy, and that at a rough estimate there was only £5 to £lO worth of stock,” stated the detective. He pointed out that the accused had to pay a rental of £3 10/- a week and ’phone charges, yet was able to allow, what was at one time an up-to-date hairdressing saloon, to go into disuse. “The accused caried on betting in a very big way, and when arrested had about £1 in small change in the till and about £6O in the room used for betting,” commented the detective, who added that the accused had been convicted previously. HIS FOURTH APPEARANCE. Relative to Golding the detective explained that the accused had a con fectionary shop in Emerson street, and there was no suggestion that the stock was “dummy,” but it was con tended the shop was used merely as a “blind.” There were three entrances to the back of the premises where Golding had a sound-proof room fitted with two phones, watch, table, and cards, and documents ill relating to betting. “Golding has been carrying on in a extensive way and had £lO3 in his possession. He has had three previous convictions,” concluded the detective. THE PLEAS FOR DEFENCE. Mr Rogers, for the defence, slated that although Golding had had three previous convictions two were in connection with the same set of facts. It was worthy of note that ho carried on a legitimate business, but he unfortunately indulged in betting to increase bis takings. Relative to Corless, counsel pointed out that the previous conviction took place three years ago, when ho was an agent for another man who appeared at the same time. Corless took over the premises and had found that the tobacconist business was not a paying proposition. The only evidence, contended counsel, was a book. There

were no bets taken and the accused had saved a defended action. He was still suffering from war wounds. His Worship: That has long since been worn out. “But the wounds have not worn out, ’ ’ added MT llogers. Dealing with Baxter, counsel for the defence stated that the previous conviction had taken place eight years ago, and after that ho had left the town. Some twelve months ago he returned to Napier after carrying on as a tobacconist elsewhere. “Regarding the wireless outfit ” commented Mr Rogers, “I, too, have one.” His Worship: “You had better watch out. “Plenty of people have them,” Mr Rogers remarked. “But not for bookmaking,” interjected Senior Detective Butler. Continuing his plea counsel stated that the bets made were isolated ones and there was no money on the premises. HIS WORSHIP’S REMARKS. "I have listened attentively to counsel’s plea for defence but 1 must say that I am seriously considering the question of sending you three men to gaol,” stated His Worship in delivering judgment. “lu each case you have been previously convicted more than once in some cases, and it is perfectly plain that you are carrying on to the fullest extent and in illegal ways to obtain a livelihood. There comes a time when patience is exhausted and it is perfectly plain that though you have been fined the maximum penalty, it has not be sufficient. You take the view that by pleading guilty you will pay a fine as an equivalent to a license fee. I’ll give you this chance. You are each fined £lOO, costs 10s. Forty-eight hours were allowed in which to find the money. RAID IN WHANGAREI. Whangarei, Aug. 15. As the result of a police raid made on Saturday afternoon on certain office premises when documents were seized, Ernest Alfred Lacey appeared before a Justice of the Peace this morning and charge with carrying on the business of a bookmaker and with keeping a gaming house- A lady clerk was also charged with carrying on the business. A remand was granted until August 29, bail being allowed, the former £l5O and tin. latter £lOO.