“NO MONEY TO-DAY”

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 161, 28 September 1927, Page 9

“NO MONEY TO-DAY”

GAMING HOUSE CHARGE CASE AT WHANGAREI (From Our Own Correspondent) Considerable interest was manifested to-day at the Whangarei Magistrate’s Court, when John Belton was charged before Mr. J. H. Salmon, S.M., with having been found in a common gaming house during the execution of a search warrant. Belton pleaded not guilty. Senior-Sergeant O’Grady, who prosecuted, said a warrant was being executed to search the premises of Alfred C. Lacey, who was subsequently convicted on the charge mentioned. Three police were in the office when accused came in, and Lacey immediately said, “I can’t lend you any money to-day.” The sergeant asked if accused was there looking for money, and, getting an affirmative reply asked what money he had, on which accused produced two ten-shilling notes and 15s 6d in silver from one pocket and £3 in a purse from another. Belton, in the box. said he was married with five children, earning £4 16s a week. He was paying off a gramaphone at the rate of £2 a fortnight, and being short of money for household expenses that week, went to Lacey to borrow the two pounds. He swore he had never had a bet with Lacey in his life. The magistrate said the onus was on defendant to show that his reason for being on the premises was not for the purpose of betting, but he had not satisfied the Court in that respect. He certainly could not afford to bet, and it would have been much better had he been frank, for his financial position would then have been taken into consideration. His excuse was flimsy in the extreme . A conviction and a fine of £2 and 10s costs was recorded.