ON THE TRAIL.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XLVII, Issue 15459, 2 March 1921, Page 7

ON THE TRAIL.

SUSPECTED BOOKMAKER.. AUCKLAND, last night. Setting out on the t.’S'.il of suspected bookmakers yesterday afternoon, Detec-tive-Sergt. Hammond and Detectike Sullivan marked down a motor car standing in. Shortland street and a man who was adjacent thereto as likely j subjects for investigation in view of 1 the . Variety of outward forms taken by model'll bookmaking in Now Zealand.l Consequently both the man, Cornelius McDevitt W 33), and the motor car were taken into custody and submitted to ail examination that resulted in McDevitt’s arrest on a charge of carrying on the illicit business of bookmaking. Immediately afterwards the detectives hastened to a fruit shop in Symonds street and there took charge of the employee, Charles Lawson (£)4). A ring at the shop telephone took Detective Hammond to the machine at this stage. “That you, Charlie?" inquired a voice over the wire. ‘‘Yes," responded the detective in a fruity voice. ) “Right oh! £1 Infante, and, if in | funds, £1 Nunerrant,” Ordered the j voice, adding: “Look out, Charlie! j There's a scare on and Con McDevitt’s pinched.” _ i ) The detective replied : _ Yes, Charlie is pinched, too; you will! be pinched ■ presently.’’ I I Lawson came before i{r Poynton, S.M., this morning, charged that he curried on the business ad bookmaker, and that be kept No. £25 Symonds street for the purpose ojf a gaming house within the meaning ;of the Gaming Act. He stated Chat! he did not quite appreciate the position, as he had been informed that the charge of keeping a gaming house! was to be withdrawn. j | The Chief Detective: l|f he admits being a bookmaker I shall not go on now with the other char je, and will report the matter to my superior officers. j His Worship: Are both charges on the same facts? —Yes, sir. • ‘‘ln that event,” explained his Worship to defendant, “the pblice are not likely to proceed with the second charge if they get a conviction on the other; they never do.” I Defendant: “If they miss you on the swings they catch you oil the roundabout.” '■ Defendant pleaded guilty, electing not to go to the Supremd Court, and Detective Hammond detailed the circumstances of the arrest Jand of the conversation on the telephone. Defendant stated he did not own or lease the fruit shop, but Had been employed tliero for about 14 years. He had now lost his employment. He said ho was 55 years of age, and had no means. The magistrate convicted defendant and fined him £2OO, in: default six months’ imprisonment, but allowed him 21 days in which to find the money. Cornelius McDevitt pleaded “not guilty” to a charge of carrying on the business as bookmaker, and elected to go to the Supreme Court for trial, lie was remanded on bail for a week. Press Assn. -