OPEN BETTING AT NAPIER.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLVII, Issue 14302, 23 February 1910, Page 7

OPEN BETTING AT NAPIER.

WHAT ARE THE POLICE DOING?

[BY TELEGRAPH. ASSOCIATION'.]

Napier, ; Tuesday. A statement'; to the effect that a certain class of men carry. on betting openly in Napier was made at the Supremo Court to-day by Mr. Cresswell, who appeared for one of . the- young men involved in some forged telega-am cases. If the practice had been suppressed, Mr. Cresswell stated, the accused would not bo standing in 'the dock, and many other young men would :be protected from temptation. Without fear of contradiction he would say that 'for years this betting ; had been carried on as openly in Napier as any legitimate business. Mr. Down addressed the Court on behalf of the other accused, who had been in the electric telegraph service. He said it was notorious that some branches of the . Public Service were permeated with gambling and betting, and there were ample opportunities for indulging in the habit in Napier. As Mr. Cresswell had naid, there were men walking about the . streets , His Honor : Do you mean to say there are men. walking about the streets openly betting with young men ? Mr. Dolan : There are, Your Honor. His Honor : Then, what are the police doing Mr." Dolan said it was very, difficult to obtain convictions. . > ,