£24,000 VANISHES.

Star (Christchurch), Volume XLIV, Issue 661, 14 January 1933, Page 1

£24,000 VANISHES.

Barrister Sued by Casino for Debt. FORTUNE GAMBLED AWAY. LONDON, December 5. The story of a young barrister, who at baccarat and chemin de fer lost a fortune which he inherited from his father, was told yesterday in the King’s Bench Division. He was Mr Basil Bleck, of Ilarecourt, Temple, who was sued for £1616 and interest by Societe du Casino Municipal de Juan-les-Pins. The hearing was adjourned. The drawing and dishonouring of the cheques were admitted, and Mr Gilbert Beyfus, opening Black’s case, explained that misfortunes befell him in the south of France. The cheques were dishonoured, not for the reason that he refused to pay, but having lost all he had no more with which to pay. He had been in the habit of going to Juan-les-Pins every summer from 1927 and playing baccarat and chemin de fer. When he first went there his father had recently died. Mr Bleck inherited approximately £30,000, and this had disappeared. Mr Beyfus submitted that the action could not succeed because of the provisions of the Gaming Act. Such a debt could not be sued for in this country, even though it might be recoverable in the country where the indebtedness was incurred. The casino’s alternative claim for money lent cpuld not succeed because the lender was financially interested in the game at which the money was lost. Mr Bleck stated in evidence that in the four years he was gambling at Juan-les-Pins and Cannes he lost approximately £24.000. He now had a post as a commercial traveller. The manager of the plaintiffs’ gaming rooms, giving evidence, said: “I always found Mr Bleck to be a man of honour, and I still believe him to be