BOOKMAKING CHARGES AT MARTON

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 85, Issue 31, 6 February 1941, Page 9

BOOKMAKING CHARGES AT MARTON

FURTHER TERM OF PRISON FOR ONE MAN OTHER ACCUSED HEAVILY FINED (Own Correspondent). MARTON, Feb. 5. Benjamin Nausbaum, William I. Black and Charles Joseph Williams were charged at the Marton Magistrate’s Court to-day with bookmaking on the following counts: (1) At Palmerston North, on or about December 28, 1940, with carrying on the business of a bookmaker; (2> on December 28, 1940, on Stewart’s Road, Awapuni, for the purpose of betting; (3) on January 1, 1941, on Wing's Line, for the purpose of betting; (4) on January 1. 1941, at Marton, did carry on the business of a bookmaker. Mr. R. M. Watson, S.M., presided. Detective-Sergeant A. B. Meiklejohn prosecuted on behalf of the police and Mr. G. E. Rowe (Palmerston North) appeared for Nausbaum and Black and Mr. A. M. Ongley for Williams. With the permission of the police the first three charges were withdrawn in the case of Nausbaum and Black, who pleaded guilty to the fourth charge. Detective-Sergeant Meiklejohn stated that Black had £137 19s in his possession when arrested and betting material. There were about 18 or 20 persons outside the racecourse at Marton. Just before the seventh race he produced a warrant for the arrest of Black, who was somewhat hbstile. Black had several previous convictions and had been fined £2O for betting on November 15, 1936, and £5O on August 15, 1938.

Counsel stated that defendant had 1 not been betting for a period of about 1 two and a-half years from August 1 1938, and was not carrying on bookmaking in a systematic way at the present time. ; The magistrate stated that Black ' was liable to a fine of '5OO or a term of two years’ imprisonment. In view ' of the circumstances as detailed by ' counsel Black would be convicted and fined £l5O. Counsel pleaded guilty for Nausbaum on the fourth charge. Detective Meiklejohn stated that Nausbaum had been operating at the Manawatu races and was seen . taking bets which totalled £640 17s 6d on the second and third days. Four . days later he was operating outside the Marton racecourse on January 1, where he booked bets totalling £146 10s. A warrant was issued for his arrest and bail allowed. Following this accused went to Trentham on January 16, 1941, and at Lower Hutt ’ on January 30, 1941, he was convicted and fined £lO. Counsel considered that he should be treated as a first offender. He had not been carrying on betting in the past and was in business as a draper at Palmerston North. He now realised the grave danger of bookmaking and had given up the practice. The magistrate: So far as this charge was concerned he was carrying on betting in a large way and would be convicted and fined £lOO. Charles Joseph Williams pleaded not guilty on the four charges. Mr. A. M. Ongley appeared for Williams and the four charges were taken together. Constable Alfred Hasted (Wellington Central) stated that he was on duty at Awapuni on December 28 and was stationed on Stewart's Road at 2 o'clock, taking up a position on the top of a fence. Cars were parked about five yards away and he recognised cars belonging to Williams, Black and Nausbaum. There were about 200 people and 40 cars in the vicinity. Defendant was operating as a bookmaker whilst sitting on a stool and issued numbered duplicates from a block pad. He saw a number of transactions take place in this manner and on one occasion heard Little Robin's name mentioned. Witness detailed several bets that he had made with Williams. Constable Gregory gave evidence a' to betting transactions being carried out by Williams outside the Marton i Racecourse on January 1. 1941. Evidence was also given by Detectives Fell and Meiklejohn as to Williams’ betting at Manawatu and 1 Marton races. After Mr. Ongley had addressed the Court the magistrate convicted and discharged accused on the Marton charge and sentenced accused to one month’s imprisonment cumulative on his present sentence. !