ON THE WRONG RACE.

Waikato Times, Volume 96, Issue 15866, 12 December 1923, Page 5

ON THE WRONG RACE.

DISPUTE OVER A DIVIDEND.

LEADS TO BOOKMAKING CHARGE

\t the Magistrate's Court, Hamilton, to-'dav, before Mr H. A. Young, S.M., Steven Dominkovitch was charged with earning on the business of a bookmaker. Mr Lucas appeared for accused, who elected to be tried by JuryOutlining the case for the police, Detective Sweeney, who conducted the case, said that as one, Wm. Frederick Bezar, was on his way to the Waikato Hospital, he was "given the strength" of two horses that were racing that day at the Auckland trots. Not having time to return and get his money on, he sent a letter by express messenger to his wife, telling her to put 10/- on Strathmore first start and 10/- on Promenade in the Massey Handicap. Mrs Bezar then took the money into Crostoy, who had a. shop nearby, and giving him £1 asked him to back on her behalf the horses specified. Promenade ran earlier in the day in the big race, when the company was apparently too good for him, but came out later and won the Massey Handicap, paying a dividend of £25. Mrs Bezar, however, never collected, as Dominkovitch would not pay out, contending that tier money was on Promenade in his first etart. Confused the Names. Frederick William Bezar, confectioner, gave evidence of having sent his wife instructons to back Strathmore first start and Promenade in the Massey Handicap. He discovered later, however, that he had confused the name Strathmore with Stanmore. Lucy Ellen Bezar, wife of the last witness, said that upon receiving her husband's letter she handed the document together with a £1 note to a man Darned Crosby, ■ 10/- for Strathmore and 10/- for Promenade. Witness Slso gave evidence of having had a 5/- bet on Raceful, who was competing at, the last Ellerslie race meeting. Raceful came home first and Dominkovitch handed her £3 as a result. Witness did not know what business Dominkovitch followed. She had had no other bets with accused. James Joseph Crosby deposed to Mrs Bezar handing him the document produced in addition to a £1 note. Acting on her !- 'dructions he saw accused in ,i ! room some time afterwards i him what he wanted in I Tins of the letter. Witness id- ihc name of the race in whir!, ~ was desired to back Promenade. At Ihe same time witness put £2 on Reliance for himself. Next day, the day after the races, witness mentioned to accused that Promenade had won. Dominkovitch, however, replied that the money was on Promenade in another race earlier in the day, when he ran unplaced. Accused maintained that witness had made a mistake, and suggested that they should each pay half the dividend. This witness refused to do, saying that he would neither pay half nor anything. Witness could not say that he knew what occupation accused followed. He could not say whether amounts shown in accused's bank pass-book were subjects of dividends or not. Betting Slips Found. Detective Culloty said that on November 2-i, accompanied by Detective Sweeney, he arrested accused on warrant for carrying on the business of bookmaking. His house in Rosstrcvor Street was searched that day, when betting slips containing the names of well-known horses with fictitious names, presumably adopted by the investors, such as "Susey's Nod," "Sausage," etc. Accused was a reputed bookmaker, and witness had not known him to do any work. Corroborative evidence was given by Detective Sweeney, who stated that accused had been warned some time ago, and told that he would not be allowed on the Claudclancis course on the occasion of the Hamilton Racing Club's meeting there. On both days of the meeting witness saw Dominkovitch standing at the race-course fence in company with other bookmakers, watching affairs from a distance. Evidence was also given by Detective Lambert. Defendant pleaded not guilty, and was committed to the Supreme Court for trial.