JUDGE SAYS "GUILTY."

Manawatu Times, Volume XLVI, Issue 2642, 10 May 1923, Page 5

JUDGE SAYS "GUILTY."

BUT JURY ACQUITS. TRIAL OF ALLEGED BOOKMAKER. ("Per Press Association.] AUCKLAND, Last Night. Frederick Howard, a waterside worker was charged in the Supremo Court with having published and pub. licly exhibited a double chart, and with having carried on the business of a bookmaker. Detectivo Meiklejohn gave evidence to the effect that on i-ie ferry boat conveying waterside workers to a pic nic, he heard accused accept a double. Witness looked at tho card, which showed that twenty.two doubles, representing 55/, had been laid. Witness knew from the office records that accused had been fined for bookmaking. His Honour, in summing up. said there might bo differences of opinion as to the wisdom of certain legislation, but the Court had nothing to do with that. If Parliament passed a law it was his duty to administer it. The duty of the jury was equally clear. It was their duty to return a verdict according to their oath, otherwise the administration of justice in New Zealand would be reduced to a scandal. It was impossible to come to any other conclusion than that the accused was guilty of bookmaking, if the evidence was to be believed.

The jury returned a verdict of not guilty and the accused was discharged.