NOVEL OCCUPATION

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22628, 16 January 1937, Page 16

NOVEL OCCUPATION

IDENTIFICATION AUTHORITY WATCHER IN GAMING . HOUSE f■ ■ - "Holding himself out as an authority on the persons who frequent gaming houses, accused was engaged to look over prospective bettors and debar anyone who looked like a policeman sent to conduct betting," said DetectiveSergeant McHugh in the Police Cfturt yesterday, when George Henry Byron, aged 32 (Mr. J. Terry), admitted a charge of assisting in the management of a common gaming houso at 103 Hobson Street.

On November 19 last, Thomas Curran, who used his premises as a common gaming house, was sentenced to two monthri' imprisonment, continued Mr. McHugh. A few days later, accused and another man named Russell opened a similar business in a shop a tew doors away from Curran's place. Russell, who was subsequently fined, was a newcomer to the betting business, but accused had been connected with it for years.

Acting-Detective King, a new arrival in Auckland, went to the premises on November 28, for the purpose of laying bets. Accused passed him as "not looking like a John," and King was welcomed with open arms and an open book. He took a double. Two days later he had no difficulty in laying another bet at £l5O for l()s. A lot of business was being conducted when, a police raid took place later that dav, and accused was assisting.

"It is strongly challenged that accused was a principal," said Mr. Terry. "The position was that the proprietor was a stranger to Auckland, who decided that the public, who had been accustomed to betting in that quarter, should be accommodated. It was to safeguard against the police that accused was encaged to assist. Whether due to neglect or bad man a cement, the business ran only two days before being raided by the police, and the principal, charged as such, was fined £30." The magistrate, Mr. C. R. Orr Walker, imposed a fine of £ls, with costs, 10s.