A BETTING CASE IN COURT.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 771, 10 December 1886, Page 10

A BETTING CASE IN COURT.

(UNITED press ASSOCIATION.) Ditnedin, December 3.

Mr Justice Williams was occupied for some time to-day with the hearing of. a dispute regarding the possession of the proceeds of a wager on the last New Zealand Cup. The case, which has excited a good deal of attention in sporting circles, was Bryan v. Patterson and others, and was in the nature of an interpleader summons taken out by the sheriff. The circumstances were that a writ of sale had been issued in the case of Edward J. Bryan v. Dugald Patterson, and the sheriff’s officers had seized under the writ a sum of £75, which was being passed oyer to one Morrison by Richard Langley, a bookmaker. The money was claimed by Langley, Frank Miller, and Samuel Webb, and to settle the claims of the contending parties, an interpleader summons had been issued by the sheriff. The evidence of Langley, a bookmaker, was to the effect that he had laid £IOO to £2 10s to Miller, but intended paying over £SO to Morrison in accordance with au order produced, Miller having hedged £SO. He was about to pay £42 10s to Morrison, and £47 10s to Miller in the Grand Hotel, Brewn being there, and had counted out £75 when he heard a scuffle, and found the £75 in possession of a bailiff. He had intended to place £ls with the £75 before paying it over. He demanded the money back. Miller’s evidence was somewhat similar ; but Brown stated that, when he first went to touch the money, Langley rated him for doing so. He then stepped back, and when the money was divided ho took hold and dragged it -away from Morrison. His Honor decided that the money had passed to Morrison and was rightfully seized. Miller was, however, entitled to £37. The order of the Court would be that the sum in Court in excess of the £42 10s be paid to Miller, the balance to remain in Court to satisfy the judgment creditor. His Honor refused costs to either party.