BOOKMAKING CHARGES

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23884, 11 August 1939, Page 6

BOOKMAKING CHARGES

THREE MEN BEFORE COURT HEAVY FINES IMPOSED “ peculiar state of AFFAIRS ” As a result of a raid made by a squad of detectives on a house in Forbury crescent at 12,35 p.m. yesterday. three men —John Philip Donaldson, Alexander Malcolm Barron, and John Charles Tooman—appeared before Mr H. W. Bundle, S.M., at a special sitting of the Police Court yesterday afternoon, jointly charged with carrying on business as bookmakers. Detective Sergeant T. Y. Hall stated that, in company with Detectives J. Russell, J. Marsh, and JMarshall, he had made a search ox the premises occupied by Donaldson in Forbury crescent and had found the three accused in a room which was fitted up for the purpose of bookmaking There were three telephones, which were ringing almost continuously, and while the detectives were there bets up to as high as £lO were telephoned in. The accused, Donaldson, he said, was the head of a bookmakmg establishment which had agents in most South Island towns. The firm did a large amount of business and it was doubtful whether there was another betting house like it in New Zealand Donaldson had been before the court on similar charges on previous occasions, and it seemed that a fine was no deterrent. On the last occasion on which he had been brought before the court he had been fined £ 250. Detective Sergeant Hall gave further evidence concerning Barron and Tooman. It appeared that they were connected with the firm only in the capacity of employees, being paid a set weekly wage. The magistrate remarked that it was a peculiar state of affairs in that the law took a serious view of bookmaking and yet the income tax authorities solemnly collected their taxes on the proceeds. The magistrate remarked that the firm appeared to be transacting a tremendous amount of business, even though, as Donaldson had said; heavy losses had to be suffered at times. Donaldson would, therefore, be convicted and fined £350. On the accused’s application, the magistrate ruled that £ 100 should be paid forthwith, the remainder to be paid within six weeks. The assistants. Barron and Tooman, were fined £25 each. £lO in each case to-be paid forthwith and the remainder within six weeks.