FINE OF £50.

Taranaki Central Press, Volume IV, Issue 350, 3 February 1937, Page 4

FINE OF £50.

FOR BOOKMAKING

Broadway Premises Used As Gaming House.

Pleading guilty ito a charge of hookmaking, Clarence David Hyndman, cTeirk, Stratford, (was fined £5O by Mr W. H. Woodward, S.M., in the Stratford’ Court this morning. On ia icharge of using a building in Broadway as a common gaming house defendant was convicted aind discharged.

Mr S. Macalister appeared for defendant and Detective A. Jenvcy prosecuted. Detective Jenvey said that about 4.45 p.m. on November 7 last a constable on special duty visited the premises in Broadway. Betting material war seen, and bets had been taken over the telephone. Accused refused to accept a bet from the constable and evidently became suspicious.

On December 28 witness executed a search warrant, and while on the premises took bets over the telephone. According to the records, 25 bets amounting to £lO 2s 6d were taken on the Auckland and New Plymouth meetings. Defendant had been fined in February, and was an agent for another bookmaker. Mr Macalister said the figures showed that accused was really in a small way of business. He suffered from a physical disabilityi and was a married man with three children. He was employed by stock dealers, but was' unable to earn sufficient money and was obliged to undertake bookmaking. There was a demand, for betting facilities by the public. Counsel said he was instructed that Hyndman was not an agent in the true sense of the word. Some time ago the Chief Justice said that "a second offence merited imprisonment, but I am not going to take that course with you,” said the Magistrate in fining defendant £5O. Three months were allowed in whicti to pay the fine provided £lO was. paid Immediately. “It seems like making it more' or less a license fee," remarked the Magistrate in allowing time to pay the firte.