ATTEMPT TO MAKE A BET

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XVII, Issue 208, 17 August 1927, Page 8

ATTEMPT TO MAKE A BET

WELLINGTON MAN FINED £3O. Christchurch, August 16. A plea of not guilty was offered by William Kitson, commission agent, Wellington, charged at the Supreme Court to-day with making a bet with Allred Vivian Whitta. bookmaker, of Christchurch, on March 10. Kitson was one of many prosecuted after a raid made on Whitta’s premises a few days after March 10. but Kitson elected to he tried by jury. Whitta was convicted for bookmakin" on March 16.

The Crown Prosecutor. Mr Donnelly. said that as the result of a raid on Whitta’s premises, a telegraphed bet from Kitson to Whitta, asking tor a double at the Wellington races was traced When interviewed in Wellington hv a detective Kitson had admitted the offence, and said he would plead guilty. However. he changed his mind. Whitta had not sent to Kitson the usual confirmation of the bet. although 'he bet was booked. b,ut it was clear an attempt to bet had been made hv Kitson. Mr S. Thomas, counsel for accused. said that on March 10 Whitta had not been proved to be a bookmaker.

“It is a case in which vou should exercise common sense.” said the judge addressing the jury.

Having retired at 11.55 a.m. the jury returned at 2‘20 p.m, with a verdict of not of making a bet, but guiltv of attempting to do so. The Crown Prosecutor informed his Honour that Kitson had never previously been convicted, hut it appeared he had been Whitta’s Wellington agent. Kitson was fined £3O. in default six weeks’ imprisonment.