ALLEGED BOOKMAKING.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIV, Issue 19730, 1 September 1927, Page 12

ALLEGED BOOKMAKING.

CASE FROM TAUMARUNUI. VERDICT OF NOT GUILTY. [BY TELEGRAPH. —OWN CORRESPONDENT.] HAMILTON, Wednesday A verdict of not guilty was returned by the jury in the case heard in the Hamilton Supreme Court to-day in which William West was charged with carrying on the business of a bookmaker at Taumarunui on July 11. Evidence was given by Sergeant O'Brien and two constables that they raided accused's room at the Midland Hotel on July 11 and found him in possession of a notebook containing references to racing and other documents relating to racing. They also answered telephone rings and were told to put money on certain horses for the speakers. Mr. J. F. Strang, who appeared for accused, offered no evidence, but in his address to the jury he stated that no direct evidence had been brought that accused was carrying on the business of fcookmaking. The documents put in by the police were consistent only with a man being no more than an enthusiast on racing. The only evidence other than documentary was one telephone call and one telegram, continued counsel, and this in spite of the fact that the police were on the premises for an hour on the eve of an important race meeting. After a retirement of three-quarters of an hour the jury returned a verdict of not guilty, the foreman stating the jury did not consider the evidoncs sufficient to warrant a conviction.