GAMING CHARGES

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXI, Issue 21716, 3 February 1934, Page 16

GAMING CHARGES

CONSTABLES 5 BETS TAKEN TWO PREMISES RAIDED FINES OF £25 AND £SO Two charges of using premises as common gaming houses were laid in the Police Court yesterday, fines of £25 and £SO respectively being imposed by the magistrate, Mr. W. lv. McKean. A plea of guilty was entered by Norman Wilkinson, aged 28, described as a clerk, whose premises were stated to be in His Majesty's Arcade. DetectivcScrgeanb MeHugh said that on January 1 a constable had had no difficulty in laying two separate "doubles" on races at Ellerslio that day. On January 26 a further bet had been made, and later in the day a search warrant was executed. The usual betting material was found, and there was about £5 14s in cash on the premises. Accused had frankly admitted using the place as a common gaming house. Mr. Terry, who appeared for accused, said it was his client's first appearance in Court. Ho was carrying on only over the holiday period, and had since closed down. Accused was convicted and fined £25, in default six weeks' imprisonment. A similar charge was preferred against James Austin Cullcn, hairdresser, aged 27 (Mr. Aekins)., who pleaded not guilty, but after receiving a ruling on a point of law from the magistrate, amended the plea to guilty. Constable Flynn said ho had visited accused's tobacconist shop at 49A Park Road on Docember 16, and made three half-crown bets. On December 19 he again visited the shop and collected a dividend of 17s. Witness asked accused if he had a "double" for tho Auckland racing, and ho was handed a "double chart," from which ho selected two 5s bets. On January 27 witness again | visited the shop and laid a "double." j Detective Moore gave evidence that ' with Detective Brady ho executed a search warrant on tho premises and seized a quantity of betting material. Mr. Aekins submitted that there was nothing to prove that tho records of bets discovered were not accused's private bets. He also claimed that it was necessary to establish that tho premises were specially kept as a common gaming house, where accusod localised a system of betting for his own profit. Cullon's business was undoubtedly that of a hairdresser and tobacconist, and Mr. Aekins held that thoro was no case to answer. "There is no doubt that accused has been using the premises for a dual purpose," said Mr. W. It. McKean, S.M. Mr. Aekins said that in view of the magistrate's ruling on the points raised, he would plead guilty. He pointed out, however, that accused had not been in trouble before, and did not carry on a big betting business. "Ho is going to get married soon," Mr. Aekins added. 'I suppose that is a gamble, anyway, but ho makes an assurance that ho will give up the betting business." A fine of £SO was imposed, in default two months' imprisonment. Accused was allowed 24 hours in which to pay.