KEEPER OF GAMING HOUSE

Taranaki Daily News, 16 July 1929, Page 11

KEEPER OF GAMING HOUSE

FINE OF £75 FOR SISARICH

WARNING AGAINST REPETITION. RAID BA 7 THE STRATFORD POLICE “I will fine you £75 as you are a first offender, but if you come before me a second time for this offence you can expect a term of imprisonment.” said Air. R. W. Tate, S.M., in passing judgment at the Stratford Court yesterday upon Dominick Sisarich, a Stratford restaur-ant-keeper, who was charged with keeping a common gaming house. Accused was not represented by counsel and pleaded guilty. Sisarich was one of the 13 men arrested in the police raids m four Taranaki towns on Saturday.

Sergeant J. Power described how, accompanied by Constable Shields and Ruston, he visited accused’s business premises on Saturday and found him engaged in taking race bets over the telephone, which was situated in a rear room. He understood that accused had been carrying on illegal business for 2% years, said the sergeant. The transactions revealed on Saturday inferred that he was a man working on a medium scale. In a cash drawer in the rear room there was £35 8s 6d,' continued the sergeant, but he did not think this amount had come in on Saturday, as the greater part of the business was being transacted over the telephone. “What have you to say about it?” asked Air. Tate of accused.

“Well, I have been in the premises only three months and it is very hard to plead guilty,” replied Sisarich, who said he had spent a large sum in fitting up bis new restaurant. The Alagistratc: But Ido not quite understand you. You pleaded guilty, did you not? “Yes, but under the circumstances —” “What circumstances ?” “Well, after I have built new premises and incurred considerable expense it is hard to have to face this charge.” “You are a foreigner, are you not?*' “Yes, but I have been longer in this country than in the other.” “Jugo-SJav?” “Yes.” ‘■Then if ydn are going to stay in New Zealand you will obey the laws,” Air. Tate concluded. Kenneth Stockman pleaded guilty to being found on the premises at the time of the raid. “One of the pigeons,” said Air. Tate. “You are liable to a fine of £5.” The Sergeant: This man frankly admitted his offence, Your Worship. “In that ease,” said the magistrate, “I will make the fine £2.”