MORE "TWO-UP."

NZ Truth, Issue 105, 22 June 1907, Page 6

MORE "TWO-UP."

BREWSTER AND DUNN CHARGED.

The "Russian" Gives Some More Evidence.

The Magistrate's Court, Wellington,, is becoming quite familiar with the "two-up"- joint. Yesterday Phillip Brewster was charged. with keeping a common gaming, house at the end of Ellsr's Avenue, and Chas. Dunn with acting m the conduct of a gaming house. Mr Wilford defended.

Bdwdrd Crosby Pearce testified that he had rented the rooms m Eller's Avenue 'to Brewster.

Gusfcav " Grenberg, otherwise '"the Russian," gave evidence to the effect that he toad fitequented the rooms, and was last there on the night of May 4, when he was struck; on the head with a bottle by Morrow. The tariff m the room was the payment of 1/ an hour >by each player, and 2/ m the £r on the '• two-up" winnings. Tho money was collected by Dunn, and subsequently shared with Brewster. The aver ago number who frequented the rooms was about 35— sometimes there ware twenty, sometimes forty or fifty.; Max Wolff, the German, also testified to the prevalence of "two-up," Dunn being ring-keeper. If there were not enough people present to play ''■two-up" poker was played. This ha'tl occurred five or six times within Wolff's knowledge., and change, when required, was supplied by ""the" ringkeeper. Dunn was m charge of the room, and Brewster did ,not seem to take any part m theibois'in'esswfcieyond. having an occasional bet. The door at the foot of the stairs was locked, and a doorkeeper was employed. He inspected visitors through a' slide m the door, and an electric light was placed another hole m the door to assist m identifying strangers. Dunn formerly had

: A "TWO-UP SCHOOL" m other rooms, behind the present premises, whiohi Wolß and others used,' ■to frequent. Brewster also haunted the old, rooms, but did' not assume an air of proprietorship. MqNamara was; occasionally ring-keeper. .Henry. C. Brown, who was sworn by affirmation, visited the "tworup school"- three times m the present month.

Mr Wilford asked for His Worship's ruling as to the admission of evidence respecting occurrences since the date of the alleged, offence. Magistrate Riddel I refused to admit such 'evidence, and as Brown had never, to his recollection, been m the rooms prior to May. 4, his evidence was of no value.

Chief Detective Mc-G-rath . applied for admission to amend tho date of the charge 'to "on or about ;June 8." Mr Wilford consented to the amenidment, and Brown then stated that he visited the "school" at 0 o'clock on- Sunday night last, when, there were a dozen to 'fifteen men present. He didn't think Brewster was there. They were playing "(twoup," with Dunn as ring-keeper. Brown had a few side-wagers, and Dunn collected a shilling from each player before Brown left. Also visited the "school once last \t<eek, but the habitues were then engaged m the peaceful occupations of boxing, card-playing, etc. On another night they were playing "two-up," and the customary tariff was imposed. Did not recollect seeing Brewster m the room at any time.

James Avonelate disposed to being present m the scho o l when "two-up" was being played. Players usually obtained change from Brewster.

Sydney Jack-son, who went there t o repair the ro o f, had a few bets while he was there, although he didn't know anything a^out the game.

Peter Docherty, who had been thsre often, mentioned the Tact, and Detectives Lewis and Rawle gave formal evidence. *

Accused, who reserved their defence, were committed for trial.