CHARGES OF BETTING.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20761, 2 January 1931, Page 13

CHARGES OF BETTING.

TWO MEN CONVICTED.

OPERATIONS IN NEWMARKET.

" These men aro a nuisance around Newmarket hotels," said Detective-Ser-geant Kelly, in the Police Court on Wednesday, when Charles Manderson, aged 40, carpenter, and William Fairley, aged 36, contractor, were charged with carrying on tho business of bookmakers and with laying totalisator odds on two occasions. Both accused, whrj wero represented by Mr. McLiver, entered pleas of guilty to the two counts of laying totalisator odds, tho major chargo of bookmaking being withdrawn by tho police. In outlining tho case against Manderson, Detective-Sergeant Kelly said accused, who had never previously bean before the Court, carried on tho business of a bookmaker around Newmarket hotels. On Tuesday a constable saw him make six bets. He had £l3 12s lid in his possession when arrested by Detective Nalder and Constable Hamilton.

Counsel said accused had been employed in tho railway workshops, but had been compelled to relinquish his position owing to a weak heart and bad physical condition. Since ho left the Railways Department lie had been struggling along as well as he was able. Accused admitted laying totalisator odds, but only in a very small way. Tho Magistrate, Mr. F. K. Hunt: Ho has only just begun bookmaking? Detective-Sergeant Kelly: Oh, no, sir. Ho has been doing it for tlireo or four years. He is a nuisance around hotels. Manderson was fined £5 on one count and convicted and discharged on tho other. Default was fixed at a month's imprisonment.

Referring to Fairley, Detective-Sergeant Kelly said accused Jiad carried on his illegal business in Newmarket for a number of years. The best that could bo said of him was that ho was a professional bookmaker. " But an honest one," interjected counsel. " I admit ho is in a bigger way than tho other man, but he is a particularly decent chap, nevertheless." Detective-Sergeant Kelly (to the magistrate) : He has been betting for years, sir. It is his livelihood.

Tho magistrate imposed a fine of £lO on one charge, Fairley being convicted and discharged on the other. Default was also fixed at a month's imprisonment.