THE GAMING LAW.

Otago Witness, Issue 2955, 2 November 1910, Page 58

THE GAMING LAW.

RAID AT AUCKLAND. AUCKLAND, Octobei 28. The prosecutions following the Taid on the offices of two bookmaking firms in the city were proceeded with in the Police Court to-day, before Mr Cutten, S.M. Alfred De Groen was charged that he used certain premises in Queen street as as a common gaming house and that on October 11 and 13 he made bets with another person in the premises. He was convicted and fined £SO on each charge, with £4 3s costs. Alfred Adams and Charles Philpott were charged with being the occupiers and keepers of a common gaming house, and George Keven was charged with having assisted in conducting a common gaming house. On behalf of all defendants Mr CotteT entered a plea of "Guilty." explaining that Keven was merely a clerk and had no share in the profits. Keven was fined £2O. In the case of the other two defendants, his Worship said he could discover no mitigating circumstances, and he imposed upon each of them a fine of £IOO, with costs. A number of persons found on the raided premises were fined £2 each.

I PROSECUTIONS IN WELLINGTON. WELLINGTON, October 28. Appearing on remand, a bookmaker named Samuel Isaacs was charged on three separate informations at the Magistrate's Court this morning, before Mr W. G. Riddell, S.M. (1) that on October 10 he was in Willis street for the purpose of betting; (2) that on October 10, being a bookmaker, he did make a bet with Thomas Jones; and (3) with betting at I totalisator odds. Chief-detective Broberg prosecuted, and accused was defended by Mr E. J. Fitzgibbon. Isaacs denied all three allegations. It was agreed that the third information should be heard first, and evidence was then led. J Mr Fitzgibbon contended that the informations must be dismissed. They had been laid under section 52 of the Gaming Act, and there was no evidence whatever as to the facts that the race was run or that any totalisator was used, nor was there evidence of an agreement to pay tote odds, and tote odds would have to be proved. The prosecutor submitted that the matter was of no importance whether the tote was used or the race run. If to-day a wager were to be determined by tote odds between two persons, and if in the meantime the totes were all burned down, the man making the bet would still be liable. / His Worship said that as no evidence for the defence had been adduced the evidence for the prosecution was unchallenged. The objections raised were not sufficient. Defendant was convicted and fined £2O, with court costs 7s, the statute not fixing an alternative. Constable Jones, giving evidence on the first and second informations, said Isaacs offered to lay 50 to 1, and witness put 10s on Boanerges, and witness handed over 10s. Later witness made a bet with Isaacs, putting £1 on California in the New Zealand Cup. Counsel for the defence submitted that there was no evidence of betting in the street. Isaacs was in a fruit shop in Cuba street at the time—not in the street itself. The Magistrate said he was not prepared to convict Isaacs on the first information. This was dismissed. A conviction, however, he said, must be recorded on the second charge, and for thie offence Isaacs was fined £3O. with court costs 7s. Twenty-four hours was allowed in which to pay. William Ham was charged with making a bet in Willis street. The defendant, a bookmaker, pleaded " Not guilty." The case broke down because a deaf witness declined to bear out a statement which it was stated he had made to a detective, that he had made a £5 bet with defendant on the Avondale races. j