MAORI FINED £250

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23615, 27 March 1940, Page 10

MAORI FINED £250

BOOKMAKING CHARGE COMMENT BY JUSTICES "LAW AHEAD OF OPINION" [llY TKT-KGIIAPH OWN COUH KSI'ONOKNT] ROTORUA, Tuesday Fines totalling £250 were imposed on a Maori, Mori Man. on charges of keeping a common gaming house and carrying on the business of bookmaker, by Messrs. A. Downer and A. E. Williamson. J.P.'s. in the Rotorua Court this morning. The charges wore brought as a result of a raid made by the police. On a charge of assisting in a common gaming house S. Kecsing was fined £2O. Pleas of guilty were entered by both accused. Sub-Inspector E. .T. Carroll said Man was a well-known figure and had been before the Court on many previous occasions. During the raid three telephones were ringing frequently and one of the police party took six bets in a few minutes. The premises had been frequently raided since 1927 and Mau had paid nearly £3OO in fines. In imposing the fines the Bench remarked that the law obviously was ahead of public opinion and fines inflicted appeared to be more in the nature of a licence fee. The fact that Mau was able to pay the income tax demanded was evidence of the extent of the business. RACECOURSE OPERATORS COMPLAINTS AT ELLERSLIE MAGISTRATE IMPOSES FINES Charges of carrying on the business of bookmakers at Ellerslie on Easter Monday were preferred against two men, Clendon Aekland Moresby Salt, labourer, aged 20. and Alfred Charles Greenwood, boot clicker, aged 25, in the Police Court yesterday before Mr. F. H. Levien, R.M. The accused, who w<?re charged separately, both pleaded guilty. As the result of complaints received concerning the activities of bookmakers nt Ellerslie, said Detective-Sergeant McFTugh. inquiries were made by the police on Monday, and the accused Salt was seen exhibiting bets. A detective made bets with him. Most of the bets accused was taking were for half a crown, but on the four races before he was accosted be had made altogether GO bets. Accused said a doctor had advised him to take a week off work. He was earning £3 a week, from which he had to pay 30s board, and he decided to try and get some money. The accused Greenwood was in the same position as Salt, said Mr. McHugh. lie had taken two £1 bets, but most were for 2s 6d or ss. Accused said he had had* a hard struggle to get a home together. This was the first time be had been out at the course bookmaking. , . i I "Don't come her' again." said the magistrate, "or there will be a heavy debit balance when you leave." Each accused was fined £5.