CONSTABLE MAKES BETS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LI, Issue 15594, 28 April 1914, Page 8

CONSTABLE MAKES BETS.

BOOKMAKERS PROSECUTED.

HEAVY FINES IMPOSED.

[BY TELEGRAM".—r-RESS ASSOCIATION.]

. Palmerston North, Monday. In the Police Court, before Mr. Poynton, S.M., two bookmakers. Jack Moughan and Tlios. Torpey, were charged with betting on licensed premises. It appears that Inspector Wilson (Wanganui) detailed Constables Farnworth (Wnnganui) and Brown (New Plymouth) to try and make bets with the accused, with successful results. Farnworth selected winners, and made bets with both accused, with successful results in some instances, the illegal transactions taking place in two local hotels. Moughan denied on oath any recollection of having laid tho odds with Constable Farnworth. Mil admitted having been previously convicted on a similar charge. The procedure adopted in both cases was for Farnworth to go to the accused and have 10s bets, some of them bc'ng made on licensed premises. When a dividend was to be collected, Farnworth was previously searched by Constable Brown, who was in a handy position. When he collected tho dividends he was carefully ''shadowed" to some secluded spot, and the cash he had gathered in from the unsuspecting bookmaker was carefully counted and placed in an envelope. Moughan, as a second offender, was fined £50 and costs, while Torpey, a first offender, was fined £25 and costs.