“BOOKIES” WHO PAY FINES CHEERFULLY

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LIII, Issue 16339, 13 May 1927, Page 11

“BOOKIES” WHO PAY FINES CHEERFULLY

MAKE GOOD TAXPAYERS 1 erv shortly bookmakers of .the Dominion will be referred to as "the backbone of the country” and may yet displace the, prhpary producers of New Zealand for the coveted honor (states an Auckland correspondent). Although the "bookies” carry on an. illegal business greatly to the anoyance of the Government and the police, and Sir George Clifford, when caught and fined, the large sums of money which the Magistrates order them to contribute to the consolidated fund, is willingly accepted.

Since Easter, in three cities alone, "bookies’ have paid to the Government, in fines over £I2OO. As the result of the prosecution of a. Christchurch "turf commissioner” and liis clients, over £<3oo lias been paid into the fund. Two weeks ago, four Auckland " woolbrokors” were each fined £75, and since then another Auckland bookmaker was fined £3.0, another £lO, and only this week yet; another was lined £lO. At Dunedin this week a fine of £2OO was imposed. That makes a total of £llsO and is for the cities of Auckland, Christchurch and. Duped in only. Since Easter, other bookmakers in Wellington and Ihe provincial towns have been fined large sums. If tho police continue their activity against bookmakers and those who follow this unlawful calling continue to Ik* caught as easily, then at the end of the next, financial year, the total fines paid should run into an enormous figure.

Such good taxpayers are they that Hie Minister of Finance may yet place in his next estimates the large sum expected to be received annually from t Hi - f experts.