ALLEGED ATTEMPT TO DEFRAUD BOOKMAKER.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18889, 12 October 1929, Page 11

ALLEGED ATTEMPT TO DEFRAUD BOOKMAKER.

(CONTINUED FROM PAGE 9.)

(Special to the “ Star.”) GISBORNE. October 12. Continuing his evidence, George Stanley Symons said that M’Kinnon was not to use the “no reply” code without notifying witness, but he bad never done so. The first he knew of M’Kinnon’s transaction was when he was told of a dispute over a £2O wager on Mark Mint, and at M’Kinnon’s dictation he wrote to Yeo, asking why the settlement was not made.

When Detective M’Leod produced a sheaf of telegrams signed, “ Symons,” witness stated he had not sent them nor authorised anyone else to do so. At M’Kinnon’s request he subsequently telephoned Yeo in Napier, but the latter refused to answer the telephone. Symons stated that after he had been interviewed by the police, M’Kinnon arranged to meet him where they would not be seen together, and requested him to retract his statement to the police that he had not given permission for his name to be used, but witness refused. M’Kinnon then offered to pay all expenses if witness would go to Napier to see Yeo and collect £l5O, which he alleged Yeo owed him. M'Kinnon had called on him twice since his (M’Kinnon’s) arrest, and said, Yeo was the man causing all the trouble, and again asked witness to say he had gfven permission for his name to be , used. Witness said he had known nothing of the wagers, and had not par ticip'ated in the profits. Cross-examined by Mr Wauchop, Symons said he knew M’Kinnon had had a row with Yeo, and he could not bet in his ow n name. Witness had addressed envelopes for M’Kinnon to send to Yeo.

Mr Wauchop : Because it was understood 'that he should continue to use your name ?—.Yes. Being the owner of a racehorse, you are prohibited from betting with bookmakers, and you are liable to disqualification?—Yes. But I would have bet if I wanted to. But you didn’t bet with Yeo—you didn’t want to bet with a bookmaker, did you?—You are only using me as a chopping block. You never complained of M’Kinnon using your “no reply”?—No. Elsie Morrell, telephone operator, said that during the past two or three months she had frequently connected M’Kinnon’s private telephone with Fountain at the telegraph counter, and several times she had switched the counter over to M’Kinnon’s telephone for Fountain. She had recognised both voices. Mr Wauchop: Did you hear any of‘ the conversation?—l was too busy for that. Is that the only reason? Witness did not. answer.