RACECOURSE TRESPASS.

Waikato Times, Volume 98, Issue 16153, 1 December 1924, Page 4

RACECOURSE TRESPASS.

OFFENDERS BEFORE COURT. When a local resident, named C. Merwood, appeared before Mr H. A. Young, S.M., at the Magistrate's Court, Hamilton, to-day, charged that with being a prohibited person he entered the Te Rapa racecourse at the last Hamilton meeting, Mr J. F. Strang, on his behalf, stated that he had been instructed by the officials of the Racing Club that they themselves Were desirous that he should be allowed to attend their meetings, and were, in fact, moving for his re-Instatement. The circumstances were that defendant was convicted about two years ago for false pretences when under the influence of liquor. Merwood was in receipt of a considerable income from England, and the offence in question really involved no dishonest in- ' tent. Merwood was on probation for three years, but before the expiration Of that term the restrictions imposed upon him were lifted. He took this to mean that he could then visit racecourses. However, the fact of a conviction having been imposed debarred the man from entering racecourses, irrespective of whether his term of probation had expired. In view of the fact, continued counsel, that application was being made to the Racing Conference to have Merwood reinstat-, , ed, he requested that the case be ad+ . journed for a month with a view to ascertaining the decision of the Conference. His Worship, however, thought that this had no beari/j on the case, but in view of the circumstances merely convicted defendant and ordered him to pay Court 'costs 7s.

A youth of 19, whose name was ordered to be suppressed, and who Mr W. J. King stated was convicted on a very minor charge a short time ago, was also charged with racecourse trespass. He was convicted and ordered to pay costs 7s. . Another defendant, Neill Papeesch (Mr C. L. MacDlarmid) was punished in a similar mild manner, it being stated that the man was not a spectator at the races, but a gate attendant. "This man is at present in gaol, and I must therefore ask for an adjournment," said Senior-Sergeant Mathew, when John Wright's name was called to answer a similar charge. An adjournment was accordingly granted until Wright's discharge from custody.

Ignorance of the regulations was pleaded by H. H. Lyon (Mr F. W. Sullivan), also charged with a like breach of the racing regulations. He was fined 10s and costs 7s. Still another racecourse trespasser, William F. Hamilton, who did not appear, was fined £2 and costs 7s.