Called for Bets At Boxing Contest

Manawatu Times, Volume 63, Issue 204, 30 August 1938, Page 9

Called for Bets At Boxing Contest

FINE OP £7 IMPOSED On a charge of offering to make beta during the Aitken-Gildo professional boxing match at the Opera House, Palmerston North, on August 11, John Alexander Eustace, hairdresser, of Wellington, was fined £7 with 10a costs, in the Palmerston North Magistrate’s Court yesterday. Inspector J. Cummings conducted the prosecution, while Mr. T. G. Taylor (Wellington) appeared for defendant. In evidence, Sergeant W. N. Ferguson said he was sitting on tho stage next the ring and Eustace was directly behind him, three or four seats back. Just after the first round commenced, Eustace called out: “I bet five to one; I bet four to one.” Witness warned him to be quiet and to sit down. A few minutes later Eustace again called out: ”1 bet five to one.” Witness gave defendant a second warning to keep quiet. After the contest witness spoke to Eustace, telling him he had no right to call odds as ho had done, at any boxing match. When tho contest ended, defendant rushed to the ring and put his arms around Aitken’s shoulders.

Mr. Taylor: Who was Eustace wanting to bet on? Witness: He was calling out Aitken’s name.

Couusel: You could have asked Eustace to leave the building. Witness: I warned him to be quiet. Mr. Taylor: Would it surprise you to know that bets were being laid all around the ringside? Did you warn anyone else? ►Sergeant Ferguson: No. Dotectivo W. R. Fell, who was also at the contest, said he w r as facing Eustace from tho opposite side of the riug. Ho saw Eustace was becoming excited and heard him call out to someone behind witness that he would bet £5 to £1 ou Aitken. Ho held up his five lingers and pointed to Aitken. The person behind witness called out •‘Yes.” Later Eustace made a further bet of £1 with the same individual, on Aitken. ‘‘ I have never before .seen such conduct at a boxing match,” added tho detective. At the police station afterwards Eustace admitted having made the bets. Ho had also admitted jumping into the ring when the decision was known, and handing Aitken £2. Mr. Taylor called no evidence but submitted that the matter was trivial. If Eustace’s conduct was offensive, he could have been warned and asked to leave the building. His Worship: That would not have mitigated the offence. Mr. Taylor said the boxing game was founded on betting and tho nature of the game was such as to make the calmest man lose his head. Eustace was a friend of Aitken’s and he spent the best part of his leisure time in assisting boxers to train. He came to Palmerstou North as a supporter of Aitken and to show his loyalty offered to bet with a stranger across the ring. Defendant had never been before the Court before, not even on a by-law case. He was a mau of generous nature towards tho boxiug sport. An offence had been committed but it was a sporting offence. Counsel suggested that the case be dismissed on the understanding, perhaps, that Eustace made a contribution to chanty. His Worship: Do you suggest I have that authority? Counsel said it had been done before. His Worship: In trivial cases. Counsel suggested that the present charge was a trivial one. In a Christchurch case men had been so dealt with on a “cold-blooded” offence against the Gaming Act. In this case it was all done in the heat of tho moment. His Worship: But they were engaged in training trotters and had they been convicted, were in danger of losing their livelihood. Eustace is not m that position. Mr. Taylor: But he wants to be able to attend race meetings and a conviction will debar him. Inspector Cummings said there had been trouble before at boxing matches in Palmerston North and on one occasion the referee was assaulted and knocked out. This man had been here before causing trouble. He wanted to take charge. His Worship commented that if Eustace was anxious to support boxing by making bets, he should have done it outside the building where the match was held. The fine would be £7 with 10s costs.