SPIELERS AND THEIR DUPES

Northern Advocate, 29 October 1932, Page 3

SPIELERS AND THEIR DUPES

SHOWGKOFNDS SEQUEL.

ACCUSED FINED £lO. . (Special to “Northern Advocate.”) GISBORNE, This Day.' “The public must be- protected against spielers,” said Mr P. -H. Harper, R.M., in the Police Court, when fining a young man Harry Harris £lO for a breach of the Gaming Act. Accused admitted a-charge of playing at, the showgrounds a game of chance ’’ known ns “One two three. ”'

Detective McLeod explained that accused had a stand at the show, where he had been conducting a gaine played With a billiard ball. That game did not prove profitable enough, however, and he then commenced to play “One two three," which was purely a game of chance. When arrested, he was found to be in possession of equipment for a number of games of chance. He was assisted in defrauding the public by two other men, who were reputed thieves and lived on their wits.

Mr G. J. Deane, for accused, submitted that the game of “One'two three" was the usual dart game found at every show r . Accused, however, had pleaded guilty, as he wanted the case disposed of quickly. Ho had only recently boon discharged from hospital, and had to go’back into hospital for an operation next week.

Detective McLeod stated that when he found accused playing the game ho told him to leave the' ground, but accused then commenced another game, at which ho fleeced a Maori.

“The offence is regarded as a ,seri-ous-;.one," said the magistrate, “and it is'vcry necessary that foolish people who indulge in this form of gambling, it which the odds are all in favour if the person running the game, should be protected against’ themselves. Money is scarce enough in these days, and the public must be ..protected against spielers.. T am satisfied that accused was indulging - principally in an illegal foTan of game, and that the legitimate game was only a blind."