BOOKMAKERS PINED.

Press, Volume LXIII, Issue 18894, 8 January 1927, Page 17

BOOKMAKERS PINED.

CASES AT WELLINGTON. I THE PEESS Special Service.] WELLINGTON, January 7. In the Magistrate's Court to-day, Richard Coxon, a bootmaker, aged 50, pleaded guilty to using his premises, situated in Cuba street, as a common gaming-house, and Stanley William Findlay, a labourer, aged 28, and Gerald Stevenson, a barman, aged 39, each pleaded guilty to a charge of carrying on the business of a bookmaker. Chief-Detective Ward stated that Coxon occupied a boot-repairing shop, which he had used as a cover for many years to carry on an extensive bookmaking business. Tho premises ihad been raided on December 31st, and a largo quantity of betting material and £SO in cash had been found. Findlay, who was arrested in tho Te Aro Hotel, had got rid of the betting books before the detectives caught him. There had been complaints that this man did not pay. He had a list of previous convictions. Stevenson was a barman in the Caledonian Hotel. When caught, he had a large quantity of betting materials and £BO in his possession.

Mr C. A. L. Tread well, who appeared on behalf of the accused, asked in Coxon's caso how it was that the police had not taken steps previously if they were aware that he had been conducting a trade of this sort for years.

Mr W. O. Riddell, S.M., said they oltght to know what risks they ran when they carried on a bookmaker's business. He fined Coxon and Findlay £3O each and Stevenson £25.