Fined for Betting

Manawatu Times, Volume 60, Issue 55, 7 March 1935, Page 9

Fined for Betting

“SILVER” AGENTS IN COURT”

Fivo Palmerston North citizens appeared before Mr J'. L. Stout, S.M., in tho Palmerston North Magistrate's Court yosterday on charges under the Gaming Act and were convictod.

hlorman Arnold Dalzcll, a barman, pleaded guilty .through his counsel (Mr A. M. Ongley) to carrying on tho business of a bookmaker.

A charge of using tho bar of the Carlton Hotel as a gaming house was withdrawn by the police, which led his Worship to comment that there might have been some difficulty in proving that defendant -was the “occupier” within tho meaning of tho. Act. Senior-Detectivo Quirke said Dalzell was a silver bettor and possibly the agent of some bookmaker. Tho police were not asking for a heavy,penalty.

The S.M.: But I must tako into consideration that he w r as using tho hotel. Mr Ongley explained that a stranger had approached defendant asking him to get a bet on a certain horse, but Dalzell had replied that he had given the gamo up. Next day the same man returned and to oblige, defendant had agreed to tako 5/- and try to got a bet on for him with someone “up town.” It -was purely a technical offence,” counsel contended.

Detoctivo Quirke: Ho also obliged another man by making a bet. Mr Ongley: And that man is in Court and denies it. Tho police searched tho bar and couldn't find any material. Sir Quirke: AA 7 e got one book with the first .10 or 14 pages torn out and Dalzell admitted having made bets previously and having heard of tho “raid” earlier in the day. Tho Magistrate imposed a penalty of £SO, again remarking that ho must take into consideration the fact that an hotel bar was being used. The next to appear was Arthur Lawrence, agent, who was charged with frequenting Cuba street for the purpose of betting. Senior-Detectivo Quirke described him as a silver bettor and in poor circumstances. It was his lirst offence. Tho fine was tho minimum allowed by the law, £2O. Defendant was warned that the next time ho appeared it would be the maximum of £IOO.

Pleas of guilty wero also entered by -Tohn Wm. Marshall, agent, and Wm. Pitzgorald, engine driver, who appeared on the same charges as Lawrence. Both wero described as small bettors and not in good circumstances. The lines were £2O oach. with the samo warning as was given Lawrence. His Worship was presented with a different problem in tho caso of AYm. Chas. Healey, labourer, who pleaded guilty to exhibiting in public a document which contained notifications as to betting on certain races. Senior-Detectivo Quirke said defendant was a relief worker and the police were not asking for a penalty as defendant would not be ablo to pay it. At the samo time he was a nuisance going around hotels with .1/- doublecards.

Mr Ongley explained that. Healey was not a relief worker but dependent with his family, on charitable aid. He had a bad heart and bad lungs and was unable to work at all.

Mr Quirko suggested probation, but his Worship said he could not order that, he was afraid. Tho penalty was a conviction with defendant being ordered to como up for sentence if called upon within 12 months. Charges of carrying on the business of a bookmaker and frequenting Coleman Pla.co for tho of betting were withdrawn.

All defendants wero given time to pay. Dalzell has to enrich the Treasury at the rate of £lO a month, and the others at the rate of £5 a month. .