RAID FOR BOOKIES.

Taranaki Daily News, 2 March 1921, Page 5

RAID FOR BOOKIES.

BETS OVER THE TELEPHONE. ONE CONVICTION RECORDED. By Telegraph.—Press Association. Auckland, Last Night, Setting out on the trail of suspected bookmakers yesterday afternoon, De-tective-Sergeant Hammond and Detective Sullivan marked down a motor car standing in Shortland Street and a man who was adjacent thereto as likely subjects for investigation, in view of the variety of outward forms taken by modern book-making in New Zealand. Consequently both the man, Cornelius McDevitt (33), and the motor car w r ere taken into custody and submitted to an 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 at Symons Street, and there took charge of an employee, Charles Lawson (54). 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. “Righto, £ 1 Infante and, if funds, £ 1 Nunerrant,” ordered the voice, adding: “Look out, Charlie, there’s a scare on, and Con McDevitt’s pinched.” The detective concluded to spread the scare, so he replied: “Yes, Charlie’s pinched too, and you will be pinched presently.” Lawson came before Mr. Poynton, S.M., this morning charged that he carried on bus-iness as a bookmaker, and that he kept No. 225, Symonds Street, for the purpose of gaming within the meaning of the Gaming Act. He stated that he did not quite appreciate the position, as he had been informed that the charge of keeping a gaming house waq, to be withdrawn. The chief detective: If he admits being a bookmaker I shall not go on now with the other charge, and will report the matter to my superior officers. His Worship: Are both charges on the same facts? The chief detective: Yes, sir. “In that event,” explained His Worship to defendant, “the police are not likely to proceed with the second charge. If they get a conviction on the other they never do.” Defendant: “If they miss you one swing they catch you on the round about.” Defendant pleaded guilty, electing not to go to the Supreme Court, and Detective Hammond detailed the circumstances of the arrest and of the conversation on-the telephone. Defendant stated ‘he did not own or lease the fruit shop, but was employed there, and had been employed there about fifteen years. He had now lost

his employment. He said he 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 business as a bookmaker, and he elected to go to the Supreme Court for trial. He was remanded on bail for a week.