Bookmaker Fined £300 In Auckland Today

Northern Advocate, 9 January 1948, Page 4

Bookmaker Fined £3OO In Auckland Today

AUCKLAND, Fri. (P.A.) —Pleading guilty to bookmaking, Alfred Melvin Wyatt, 40, was fined £3OO by Mr. J. Molding, S.M., who said: , “I do not intend to inflict imprisonment in this, case, but what will happen in the future I do not propose to say.”

CEASE OPERATIONS Many Auckland bookmakers have suspended operations indefinitely and have advised their clients of their action. This is the sequel to a meeting of leading bookmakers, which yesterday discussed the recommendations of the Royal Commission on Gaming. A proposal for a "strike” was rejected. but it is understood that individual bookmakers were invited to ‘ take an extended holiday" for a month or two months pending a petition being presented to Parliament. Some have issued a statement that they have been recommended to take an- extended holiday. Reasons given for this are said to be apart from the commission's announcement. One is that more regular visits from the police at e likely to follow the commission's findings and the chances ot bookmakers being sent to gaol have increased. “SOLELY A PROTEST" Most bookmakers maintained that the decision to close down temporarily was solely a protest against the commission's recommendations. Most of the "big men” were affected. They claimed that the findings showed a lack of understanding of bettors' requirements. It is understood that a decision to close the Auckland office of the Dominion Sportsmen's Association was made at the meeting.

This brings the Auckland bookmakers into line Lilith the Wellington operators, and it is believed that during the next few days other offices of the association will follow suit.