BETTING CARDS

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume L, Issue 12765, 21 June 1911, Page 7

BETTING CARDS

A PRINTER FINED

{Per Press Association)

WELLINGTON, June 19. Several charges of a somewhat unusual nature were preferred against a man named Denis Driscoll at the Magistrate's Court to-day, before Mr.- W. G. Riddell, S.M. Tho charges were that (1) on or about the 13th ho printed a document whicli contained an intimation on behalf of a certain person as to betting on horse races to be run at Auckland; (2) on or about the 13th or May he kept a printing press for printing, without having given the notice or certificate required by tiie Printers and Newspapers Registration Act; (3) on or about the 13th of May ho printed a paper and omitted to print thereon his name and place of abode; and.-(4) on or about the 13th ot May he printed a paper for gain and neglected to print on a copy the name and abode and place of his employer. Defendant pleaded guilty to the second charge and riot guilty to the other three;

Chief-Detective Broberg prosecuted, and Mr. P. W. Jackson appeared for Driscoll. ;,

Inspector Ellison deposed to receiv-ing-by post on! the 22nd of May, three "double" rao-ing. cards and a business card. These cards he handed to the Chief-Detective. On the 25th inst witness visited defendant's promises at No. 276 Lambton Quay. Defendant was in the printing-room and witness asked him for a copy of a "double" card, in order to see if the name of his employer was writ ton thereon. Defendant said he had no sub card and did not think it was nercssary to keep a copy. Witness drew defendant's attention to tho provisions of the Printers and Newspapers Regulation At. Defendant appeared to be very surprised. Defendant said ho did not think it was necessary to register his press as well as his factory. Defendant

refused to say anything when asked about the printing of the cards. Detective Kemp deposed that in company with Detective Hammond he visited defendant's oflke on 23rd May, and showed defendant three "charts" and cards, and asked him if he had printed them. Defendant replied "No." I Witness .picked up from the floor; several charts similar to the ones in j his possession, and. defendant then aa- j mitted printing the card relating to j ljaces ,at Auckland, but denied any j knowledge of the other two. The cards found on the floor were marked "A B C." Witness knew of his own knowledge that "A B C" was the sym- ! bol used by Scott and Martindale, j bookmakers, of Wellington. The chart j (produced) was a notification that "A B C" were prepared to do business at the prices stated on the Great Northern Hurdles and the Great Northern Steeplechase, run at Auck-, lan on 3rd and sth June respectively. The races took place at Auckland on those dates.

Cross-examined by "Mr. Jackson, witness said he did not attend the races at Auckland and could not say of. his own knowledge if they were held. It was common knowledge, however,that they were held. It was well known that "A B C", stood for Scott and Martindale.

Mr. Jackson.—"How do you know that 'A B C does not stand for 'all business cash,' or 'all bets -cash' ? " Witness.—"! know that 'A B C'means Scott and Martindale."

Detective Hammond's evidence was corroborative^

Chief-Detective Broberg. said it' his Worship thought it was necessary to prove that the races were actually held he would ask for an adjournment, in order that an official of the Auckland Racing Club might be called. Mr. Jackson, however raised an objection. He held that the police should be ready to state their case that day.

His Worship refused to grant an adjournment and said that so far as the information dealing with racing at Auckland was concerned, there was a want of sufficient evidence, and ilia information would be dismissed. Regarding the other charges, to which defendant pleaded not guilty, his Worship held that the cards did come within the provisions of the Printers and Newspapers Registration Act, and he entered a conviction aud fined Driscoll £5 on each charge. With reference to tho charge to which Driscoll pleaded guilty, his Worship said that the minimum penalty was £5, and as defendant had since registered his press, that penalty would be imposed. Driscoll was also mulcted in costs amounting to £1 Is.