“PICKING THE CARD”

Timaru Herald, Volume XCVIII, Issue 18084, 29 May 1923, Page 6

“PICKING THE CARD”

EDITOR-PUBLISHER SUED

ALLEGED BREACH OF GAMING ACT. PRESS ASSOCIATION TELEGRAM PALMERSTON N., Monday. At the Magistrate’s Court, Robert Hewitt Billens, editor and publisher of the “Manawatu Daily Times,” was charged that on March 31 he published a sporting article which contained advice as to the probable result of a horse race, to wit, the Halcombe Welter race run at the Feilding Racing Club’s Easter meeting on March 31, such advice being in the following words: “It is just probable that Snatcher will be reserved for the Halcombe Welter, in which case he will be accorded liberal support. He is very well, and will need to be to stave off the efforts of Lochson and Big Push.” Seven other similar Informations dealing with races at the meeting Were preferred. * Detective Sergeant Quirke, for the police, stated that the information was laid under Section 30 of the Gaming Act. Detective Holmes deposed as to calling on defendant on March 24 last and informing him that lie had instructions to warn editors about observing the section of the Act. Defendant read through the section and asked how far he could go without committing an offence. Witness replied that lie could not- answer questions. Defendant undertook to give instructions to the sporting writer. On March 31 witness and Detective Sergeant Quirlte again called on the defendant, who was out. Both officers bought copies of the paper, and told the maii in charge that legal opinion would he obtained on the legality of the sporting comments. Witness attended the races. ' Of sixteen horses mentioned in the article twelve started, and there were two firsts, three seconds, and two thirds, five being unplaced. He considered that tlie article contained information worth following.

For the defence it was stated that in order to forecast the result of a race ■it was necessary to mention the winners and the third horse.. It was contended that the Act implied no nffence, unless the first three horses were mentioned previously.. The Magistrate reserved his decision.