MEN CHARGED WITH PLAYING POKER ON HARBOUR FERRY.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18786, 15 June 1929, Page 1

MEN CHARGED WITH PLAYING POKER ON HARBOUR FERRY.

INFORMATIONS DISMISSED IN AUCKLAND CASES.

(Special to the “Star.”) AUCKLAND, June 15. A game of cards played by four men on the ferry steamer Peregrine between Northcote and Auckland on the morning of May 29 had its sequel at the Police Court yesterday when the players, whose little game was rudelv interrupted by Detective-Sergeant M’Hugh, appeared, each charged with playing penny poker on the boat. They were R. Berwick, a Customs officer, N. S. Cassrels, agent, and two employees of the Chelsea Sugar Works, C. Gardner and G. Haora. Mr Allan Moody appeared for the quartet and pleaded not guilty. Chief-Detective Hammond prosecuted. Detective-Sergeant M’Hugh said that as a result of numerous complaints from..the ferry company he went across to Northcote early on the morning in question and boarded the Peregrine. He found the four defendants playing cards on the deck nexir the engine room. Cards were in the centre of the four men and in front of one man there was 3d, -while 6d was just in front of another, all the money being on the deck. Beswick explained to witness that they were only playing penny poker, although they usually played a game known as coon can. Beswick attempted to grab the money when he saw witness, but on being cautioned he left it on the deck. Mr Hunt, S.M.: Were there any piles of matches about? No, Sir. Mr Hunt: It does not sound like poker the}? were playing, than. That’s not my idea of poker with only 9d iir £he ring. (Laughter.) Beswick, in evidence, denied that he told Detective-Sergeant M’Hugh he was playing poker. He told him it was coon can. He also said that there was a lot of poker played on the earlier boat. “If Detective M’Hugh had got the earlier boat he would have caught about eighteen men playing it,” he said.

Cassrels also denied that the game was poker, stating that it was coon can. Asked about the 9d found on the deck he said it was 9d he had lent Gardner to buy a packet of cigarettes. Gardner and Haora also denied they were playing poker. One said he had often played poker for nothing. “ Well vou are easily amused then,” was Mr Hammond’s reply. “ I think it is safer to play old maid,” said the Magistrate. Mr Hunt said that the four men were respectable and he would believe their stories that they were playing coon can and not poker. The charges were therefore dismissed.