LAYING THE ODDS

New Zealand Times, Volume LIII, Issue 12425, 20 April 1926, Page 7

LAYING THE ODDS

AFTERMATH OF TRENTHAM RACES "DOUBLE” CHART PROVES EXPENSIVE TWO MEN HEAVILY FINED As a consequence of police parties paying simultaneous visits to premises situated at 11, Riddiford street, and 58, Adelaide road, just before midday last Saturday, evidence of booknjaking was discovered which resulted in the appearance of George' ■William Wood, aged 33, and John "Watson, aged 44, before Mr E. Page, S.M., yesterday morning, to answer charges of keeping common gaming houses, and of publishing double charts. Accused, who were represented by Mr Webb, pleaded guilty to botli charges, Sub-Inspector Harvey, in conducting the prosecution, stated that evidence was discovered that 128 bets had been laid by George Wood in two days, while his brother Had taken 180-odd bets, but over a longer period. ,On each of the premises raided, a quantity of betting paraphernalia ha 3 also been discovered. “ONLY IN A SMALL WAY.”Mr Webb, on behalf of the accused, submitted that they were respectable men, and had been carrying on business in a very small way for only a very short period. Both bore excellent characters and had been perfectly frank with the police, and had given all the assistance possible to clear the matter up. They had already been severely punished, submitted counsel, on account of having their business premises closed, at a time when the Saturday morning rush was just commencing. . “These men are not big enough, proceeded counsel, “to be allowed to infringe on the monopoly of this form of gambling.” Mr E. Page, S.M.: They appear to have done a very substantial business. , . . , , . Mr Webb: Only in very trivial bets, your Worship. Sub-Inspector Harvev: The bets were from 2s 6d to £l. your Worship. • ■ Mr Page: Each of the accused will be fined £35 on the charge of keeping a common gaming house. On the second charge (that of publishing a double chart) His Worship convicted accused and ordered them to pay the costs of the proceedings.