BOOKMAKERS FINED

Putaruru Press, Volume XXI, Issue 1231, 15 May 1947, Page 4

BOOKMAKERS FINED

WARNING ISSUED Charles- Theodore Meredith, of Tirau, John Cecil Brown, farmer, of Okoroire, Robert Smith Campbell, of Putaruru, and Russell William James Henry, of Putaruru, appeared before Messrs. N. Fitzherbert and- J. Halkett, J.’sP., in the Putaruru Court on Saturday morning last, each being charged with, carrying on the business of a bookmaker. All pleaded guilty. Senior Detective Murray, of Hamilton, who .prosecuted, said that the four men bad been arrested that morning, Brown and Meredith being arrested at Tirau, by Detective Hayes and himself, and Campbell and Henry at Putaruru by Constables T. Cotter and R. Dunn, of Putaruru, and Constable W. Moore, of Matamata. In the case of Meredith, Detective Murray stated that he was married, and had previously resided at FVankton Junction. He was now livi-nig at Tirau. Defendant suffered from ill health, and bad really drifted into this game in order to supplement bis earnings. The police knew he was not in a big way as a -bookmaker. When arrested he had £39' in his possession. Brown., stated- the detective, was a farmer at O-kcroire. He too had drifted into the business, and when arrested had £44 in his possession. Campbell was a married man and suffered from an injury. He was not in a -big way in the business. Henry, who had one previous conviction for bookmaking against him, was - also not in a big way, although he was considered to be in a better position than the others. After consideration, the following fines were imposed: Campbell £l6, Meredith £2O, Brown and Henry £SO each. '■ 'v\ On Monday morning, Ben Savage, a Maori, also appeared on a similar charge before Messrs. Fitzherbert and Halkett. Mr. J. ’Grahame, on -behalf of Savage, pleaded guilty. Constable T. Cotter, who prosecuted-, stated- that when defendant was arrested he had no bookmaking material on him. He had one previous conviction against him, and although he had at that time promised to give the business up, he had not done so, although it was known that he had not been doing very much at all. -Constable Cotter stated that it was fully realised- that the men who had appeared- before the Court were not the only -bookmakers in Putaruru. Like the town, the bookmaking in the town- was growing. He suggested- the Bench issue some warning.

Mr. Grahame stated that defendant had been caught through a policeman in plain clothes going to him and- persuading him to place a bet fer him. Defendant had definitely given up the business, and was a hardworking man. Savage was fined £2O, and the Bench issued a warning that if defendants came before the Court again on similar charges they would -be sent to gaol. This was the law, and the law must be administered.