SAFETY IN FLIGHT.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXII, Issue 18965, 12 March 1925, Page 11

SAFETY IN FLIGHT.

AN AMATEUR BOOKMAKER. LAID TOO MANY DOUBLES. TERRORISED BY NATIVES. ,- r [ i;v xEr.Kcn.vrii. —own coriiespox pent, j GISI!O.ItNF„ Wednesday. The storv of an amateur bookmaker s flight from Ruatorea was told in Coint to-day and incidentally the pains and penalties described as possible; in that coastal centre were dramatically related, benjamin Bennett, with several aliases, pleaded guilty to a charge of bookmakmg at Ruatorea. Detective McLeod stated that the accused arrived at Ruatorea on February 25 from Auckland and commenced betting. He ran a " book " on the day of the Opotiki races and also proceeded to lay doubles mi the Ruatorea races. He was "hit in his operations and disappeared withoutpaying his clients, the amount involved . being between £2OO and £3OO. Mr. Wauehop, for the defence, said that Bennett heard that work was obtainable in the Gisborne district. Coining to Gisborne he unfortunately met with some racing people going to Ruatorea and it was suggested to him that something could be made in the way'of a "book." It was his first attempt and, in fact, his want, of knowledge was liii downfall. He had been simply led astray. He had no intention of beating anyone, but through his want of knowledge he laid doubles that were unprofitable, and he laid them too often. There was no totalizator at Ruatorea and consequently the accused was not in competition with the Government. People would hot, and those who would bet with ;i bookmaker were as much at fault as the bookmaker himself. Bets were made and for a time were met and settled, but a double that was expected to have no chance won. Catastrophy thus fell upon Bennett, said counsel, and he left the course. The Ruatorea natives—doubtless the magistrate knew them —would have had an old time cannibal feastin fact it was said they had the pot boiling. Accused slipped away to the hotel but the natives followed and made a demonstration. His client by this time was in a " blue funk." It put the fear of deatli into him. At the hotel he said he would pay out in the morning, but this was only to gain time. Accused's nerve was gone and he did tho only think he could, he left quietly. Mr, Wauehop urged that his client, should be given a chance by a fine instead of imprisonment. He understood that friends at Auckland would come, to accused's assistance and there was work here to be obtained. The Magistrate: He won't go to Ruatorea again. (Laughter.) Mr, Wauehop: No, lie won't. Counsel added that he felt sure accused would make good if given a chance. The magistrate said that, seeing accused had not been in the habit of bookmaking he would give hint an opportunity. Ho wou!d_ impose a fine of £3O, with costs 10s, in default three months' imprisonment.