BOOKMAKING CHARGES.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 16365, 2 March 1921, Page 2

BOOKMAKING CHARGES.

A FINE OF £2OO. [Per Press Association-.] AUCKLAND, March 1. Setting out on the trail of suspected j bookmakers yesterday- afternoon, De- , Teetive-Sergeant Hammond and Detec- j live Sullivan marked down a motor-ca» standing in Shortfalld Street, and a • man who was adjacent thereto, as j likely subjects lor investigation, in j view of the variety of outward forms I taken by modern bookmaking in New j Zealand. Consequently both the man, Cornelius M'Devitt (aged thirty-three), and the motor-car ivere taken into cus- j tody and submitted to an examination, j That resulted in M’Devitt’s arrest on a, charge of carrying on the illicit business of bookmaking. limned lately afterwards the detectives hastened to a, fruit shop at Symonds Street, and there took charge of an employee, Charles Lawson (fifty-four). A ring at tile 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 Infant© and, if funds. £1 Nunerrant,” ordered the voiefe, adding. *‘ Look out, Charlie. Tfliere's a scare on. and Con Al’Devitt's pinched.” The defective concluded to spread tho scare, so he replied, “ Yes. Charlie’s pinched too. and you will be pinched presently.” Lawson came before Air Poynton. S.M., this morning, charged that he carried on business as a bookmaker, and that he kept No. 225. Symonds Street, for the purpose of gaming j within the meaning of the Gaming j Act. He stated that he did not quite appreciate the position, as be had been informed that the charge of keeping a ! gaming house was to be withdrawn'l he Chief Detective: If he admits ' being a bookmaker, 1 shall not go on now with, the other charge, and will report the matter to my superior officers. LUs N\ orslaip: Are both charges on tile same facts?” The Chief Detective: Yes, sir. In that event,” explained his Worship to the defendant, " the police are not likely to proceed with the second charge it they gut a conviction on the othgr. J hey never do. ’ Defendant: If they miss you on the’ swings they catch you on‘the roundabout. Defendant pleaded guilty, electing l the .Supreme Court, and cum tof the arrest and of" the conversation on the telephone. l>efendant stated that he did not own or lease the fruit shop, hut was employed there, aud had been employed there about fourteen years. He had now lost, his employment. He said he was fifty-five years of age, and had no means. ILe Magistrate convicted defendant and fined him £2OO, in default sixmonths’ imprisonment, hut allowed him twenty-on© days in which to find the money. Cornelius M’Devitt pleaded not guilty to a charge, of carrying on business as a. bookmaker, and elected to £;o to the Supreme Court for trial. He was remanded on bail for a week. I