SEVENTY-FIVE POUNDS FINE FOR BOOKMAKING

Manawatu Times, Volume LIV, Issue 6844, 25 February 1929, Page 6

SEVENTY-FIVE POUNDS FINE FOR BOOKMAKING

C Williams in Court

POLICE SAY OFFENDER “BIGGEST MAN IN TOWN”

Charles Joseph Williams, whose diminutive .figure is well-known in Palmerston North and described by Senior-Doteetivo Quirke as “onp of the biggest, if not the biggest bookmaker in town," pleaded guilty on Saturday morning at the Magistrate’s Court to a breach of the Gaming Act and was fined £75 by the presiding Magistrate, Mr J. L. Stout. Accused, who appeared voluntarily, pleaded guilty to a charge that on February 20, at Palmerston North, being the occupier of c-ertain premises situated at 16 Oxford Street, he used the same as a common gaming house. In addressing the Court, the senior detective, after referring to the size of Williams’ business, informed the Magistrate that the offender was a single man, formerly a clerk, who had been botting in a largo way for the last 18 months to two years. He took bets over a phone in Ms house and also went around the streets in a car, seeking custom. He asked that the Magistrate inflict the maximum penalty. On behalf of Williams, Mr T. F. Helling stressed the point that his client had only been bookmaking for a short period. The Magistrate: "He has taken it up since it was prohibited^" It was submitted by counsel that the maximum penalty for "tho offence charged, £IOO, would be inflicted only in the case of a long established offender and not for a first offence but his Worship intimated that tho Act provided for the imprisonment of such. ‘‘This man was perfectly frank,” said Mr. Belling, ‘‘and caused no trouble. He has only been in this unfortunate business IS months.” Mr Stout : ‘‘What did you call it 1 It was an unfortunate business on that (jav. 1 * Senior-Detective Quirke: ‘‘£100! It is only one small double —100 to 1. “I will take into consideration tho fact that he has only been operating 18 months,’’.said the Magistrate, in fining Williams £75 with 3s costs. _ There was no request mado for time to pay the debt due to the consolidated fund.