ANTI-BETTING LEGISLATION

Otago Witness, Issue 3487, 11 January 1921, Page 36

ANTI-BETTING LEGISLATION

LOCAL OFFENDERS CHARGED. FIXES OF £ICO. James Arthur Frost and Thomas Potter were charged in the City Police Court on the sth inst. that, on the Ist inst. and on other dates between the Ist inst. and September 1, they carried on the business of bookmakers. Mr A. C. Hanlon appeared for the accused, who pleaded guilty. Chief Detective Bishop explained that the accused were arrested on New Year’s Day. They had entered ‘'the game” of bookmaking a yea, or so ago, and had been betting on a small scale. When arrested they admitted the offence, and signed a statement to that effect. They had now given an assurance that they would not offend in future. This was the first prosecution under the new Act. The Magistrate (Mr Widdowson) : It is now four months old. Mr Hanlon : And we have not been able to get a copy of it yet. The Chief Detective: The accused nowknow the position, and if they offend again they will take tho risk. Mr Hanlon said that the accused intended to give up following the occupation altogether. The chief detective had stated the facts very fairly. As soon as arrested both men had said they were prepared to plead guilty and to submit to such punishment as the court thought fit to inflict. Potter was employed as a hairdresser; he did not loiter about the streets, and did not keep books or ledgers like a bookmaker in a large way, but depended solely on his memory. Frost was less well known, but was a married man, and had only been trying to augment the income he received as a barman. Counsel submitted that a moderate fine would act as a sufficient deterrent in both cases. The Magistrate said that it was rather difficult for him to believe that the accused did not know the provisions of the Act, although it had not been circulated. It was admitted that they were carrying on the business, although perhaps not in such a large way as other bookmakers. The maximum penalty (£500) was severe, but he would take into account the circumstances of the accused. Each would be fined £IOO and costs (7s).

Tho King has lent the Trustees of tho London Museum the seventeenth century carved and gilt wood cradle which belonged to Queen Victoria and .was used by all her children. The London (Museum now boasts possession of 25.000 exhibits. Its popularity is proved, v the figures for the first year of re-opening. During the 12 months over 230,000 people passed the turnstiles.