BOOKMAKERS FINED.

Otago Witness, Issue 3808, 8 March 1927, Page 77

BOOKMAKERS FINED.

EXTENSIVE OPERATIONS DISCLOSED WELLINGTON, Alarch 3. Stated by Chief Detective Ward to bo acting for a wealthy principal, two men, who admitted illegal betting, were fined £5O each, in default three months’ imprisonment, by Air J. H. Salmon, S.M.. in the Alagistrate’s Court this afternoon. They were William Thomas Richardson, aged 35, who was described as a canvasser, and who admitted carrying on business as a bookmaker, and John JameS Black, a bootmaker, aged 49, who pleaded guilty to keeping a common gaming house at 41 Tory street. The Chief Detective stated that Richardson had been carrying on business as a bookmaker for the past two years. Ho frequented the city hotels taking bets there and also about the streets. Richardson, whose principal was a wealthy bbokmake, took £33 17s 6 J in bets yesterday, while on Alondav he took £23 10s worth. He had had £l6 odd in his possession when arrested. Richardson; I have been taking only small bets; and am out of pocket over it. The . Chief Detective- A betting chart found in his possession shows that ne took a double of £5O to £2. The Alagistrate (to Richardson) : The .amount of money found on you is inconsistent with small betting. With regard to Black, the Chief Detective stated that the accused. had been using his premises for betting purposes for the last nine months; ■ About £l2O was found in his shop when the police' called there this morning. Fight bets -were taken over the telephone while the-police were in possession. -- < Mr J. Scott,- -who appeared for Black, said his client had been betting only in a small way, and> it was his first ■ appear-. ance before the count. ; .- ■ ■ In fining Black £50,: the Alagistrate-said -he found it impossible to ,distinguish this .case-from that of Richardson .< Black was allowed,.one. month in ;■ which topay the .fine, ';.■£! .-.-j-r 4