PROSECUTIONS UNDER THE GAMING ACT.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume XLVI, Issue XLVI, 5 March 1914, Page 7

PROSECUTIONS UNDER THE GAMING ACT.

CHARGES AT WAITARA

Thomas Hellier was charged that, being the occupier of certain premises, he used the same as a common gaming house. Defendant was also charged, on two instances, with receiving money by way of a bet on a horse race. Constable La Pouple deposed that he applied for and received authority to search the premises of Thomas Hellier, and he carried out the. duty in company with Constables Boulton and Brown. He told accused he had a •warrant, to search the premises, and arrest him if necessary. Accused fainted, and witness and Constable Brown lifted him into the billiard room. After loosening his collar, they searched his person, and found cash and cheques amounting to £40 Bs. Amongst the cash was 10s, being four half-crowns, which witness marked the previous evening and gave to Constable Brown. [ .Witness and Brown searched the shop, and on the counter behind a glass screen they found a book with several entries relating to horse-racing. On a chair behind the counter, he found three cards with the names of horses and their engagements at the Wanganui meeting. In. a book he found the following: "Thomp., Tiresome, 10s." Witness assumed that the first was the name of a man, the second a horse, and the third the amount of a bet. Witness proceeded to read other entries, giving names of horses engaged at the Wanganui meeting and naming the amou-ita of mono v v There was the name of "Austin" and William Jones given in the book. Constable Brown said that on the 26th Jones asked Hellier if he was doing any betting and both Jones and witness offered 5s on Tiresome for the Wanganui Cup. Hellier produced a little book and made an entry and took the money. The book was like the one, produced. Witness afterwards said he would like 5s on Patronale for the Stewards' Handicap, and he asked whether it was too late. Accused said:

"No, the race is just about starting." Witness then gave Helliei 5s and he wrote something in the book. On Saturday,' at 2.45, witness went into Hellier's shop and bought a fishing line and "The World's News." Witness asked accused if he could have 5s for the Wanganui Stakes and accused said: "No, there is a 'tec' about and I have to be very careful.". Witness said: "It is all right, I had a bet with you on Thursday." Accused said he did not remember, and witness then explained the Thursdays bets. Accused afterwards agreed to make the bet on Tiresome and he made an entry in the book. Witness gave 'the name of Thompson. H© tendered four marked half-crowns. Shortly afterwards a man came in the shop and witness went into the billiard room. Then Constables Boulton and

La Pouple came in. Witness, proceeding, said that after Hellier's arrest, witness drew his attention to the marked money witness had given him. That was the case against Hellier.

Mr Johnstone asked that the case be adjourned to be further heard in New Plymouth on Monday next, bail remaining as before. The case against Roy Jnry was then proceeded with, and after evidence had been taken, it was also adjourned to New Plymouth.—Waitara Mail.