Nail-driving Game at Show

Manawatu Times, Volume LIV, Issue 7193, 27 June 1933, Page 11

Nail-driving Game at Show

COMPLAINTS BY LOSERS PRINCIPAL FINED £ls. AVHANGAEEI, June 24. A demonstration of nail-driving by Counsel for the defence was a feature of proceedings in the Polico Court yesterday morning, whon two showmen denied charges of boing . rogues and vagabonds in that they did bet and play at a game of chanco at tho Avmter Exhibition. Tho accused were James Batty and Kingi Spooner. In evidence, Alexander McDowell, of Onerahi, stated ho was at tho show yesterday and was standing next to Spooner. Batty was conducting a sideshow and said that if witness and Spooner put up Sj Gd each and succeeded in driving a short nail into a piece of wood in two hits they would receive 10s each. AVitncss was given a trial shot and drove tho nail in with one hit. AVhen ho put up the 2s 6d the nail bent. Batty then said ho would pay out £3 10s for 10s. AVitncss said ho paid tho 10s, but the nail again bent and lie lost his money. Ho considered there was a difference in tho quality of the practico nails and the ones used when money was put up. Witness said that Spooner was a stranger to him. Mr. N. E. Crimp, who appeared ror tho accused, asked if Spooner straightened a nail which witness had bent and then drove it in successfully. Witness replied, “Yes.’' Mr. Crimp then requested witness to chooso somo of the nails which wero in Court and which -witness considered would bend. This was done and Mr. Crimp then drovo the nails into a piece of wood without bonding them. Evidenco was given by Mcrvyn McGee that he had a similar experience with a nail -which bent when ho put up h-i money.

Detcctivo-Sergeant Robertson said he had received a complaint from a young man, who stated, that ho had mot Spooner and tried the game. He had lost 12s 6d in a short, time. AVitness said he had examined tho nails, some of which wore hard and others would bend in his fingers. Batty stated that ho was tho principal of the s<.u.e-show and that Spooner would merely “pull in’’ with other players. Batty said that all the nails were of one quality and that he was prepared to refund any money lost to tlioso who complained. Constaglo Craigio said he had known Batty for several years. A farmer had made a complaint to witness that lie had lost 5s by allegedly unfair tactics. AVitness warnod Batty and tho money was refunded. Batty said ho was playing fair. Mr. Crimp said that Batty had been at other shows with the same game without receiving complaints.

The magistrate, Mr. G. N. Morris, said he was quito satisfied that two qualities of nails wero being used and iu consequence tho game was not a, fait one. Spooner would bo convicted and fined x 5 and costs, in default one month’s imprisonment, and Batty would be fined £ls and costs, iu default two months’ imprisonment.