SALUTARY FINE

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 79, Issue 131, 5 June 1935, Page 8

SALUTARY FINE

BETTING CHARGES TOBACCONIST PLEADS GUILTY MAGISTRATE’S COMMENT A fine of £lOO was inflicted on Bernard Francis Corrigan, who pleaded guilty at the Wanganui Magistrate’s Court yesterday to a charge of keeping a common gaming house. Detective-Sergeant Robertson said that the accused had been carrying on betting for some time, and yesterday Detective Murray and himself entered Corrigan’s premises, a tobacconist shop in Guyton {Street, and found a number of notes relating to betting. Corrigan said he would admit what was alleged against Him. The detective said that Corrigan v*as a man who did a considerable amount of betting on horse races. Mr. F. K. Turnbull, appearing for accused, said that it was futile for him to say much in view of the fact that Corrigan had been before the Court ou a previous occasion 15 months ago. He admitted and it was a fact that Corrigan’s tobacconist shop had been used for gaming purposes, but whatever the law might be, there were a large number of respectable people’ in the community who made bets and there was a considerable amount of public opinion in favour of bookmakers being licensed. Many reputable racing people would also like to see them licensed. Corrigan was a reputable citizen otherwise. Mr. Turnbull submitted that Corrigan had carried on business in a small way only and his operations had hurt nobody. The magistrate, Mr. J. H. Salmon, said that Mr. Turnbull’s remarks would be more properly addressed to the legislature. He was not in a position to alter the laws of the country. Corrigan had previously been fined £lOO and on this occasion a similar penalty must be imposed. Two months was asked in which to make payment, the magistrate stating that he would make this allowance providing half, the amount was paid within one month. Two men who were found on the premises were each fined £2 with costs 10s.