BOOKMAKER SENT TO GAOL

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 2138, 2 May 1914, Page 6

BOOKMAKER SENT TO GAOL

FOE BETTING AT ELLENSUE. (By Mcerapli.—Plcsb Association.) Auckland, May 1. • In a chargo against Joseph Pointon at the Police Court this morning, that bqing a bookmaker he mado bets at tlio Merelic racccourse oh Easter Monday, Detectives Ward and Torrance gave cvidenco that Pointon kept in one position between 12.15 p.m. and 2.40 p.m., while they at the same time kept a watch on him from tho grandstand (one hundred yards away). In that tim<j tfiey saw eighteen pcoplo go up to Pointoii, and their hands appearing to meet each time, Pointon put one hand in his pocket and then mado a noto on a pioco of paper. Witnesses then went uj> to Pointon im<J Detective Ward took his racohfjok and asked him to go with them to the Stewards' room. On the way ho dropped an cnvelopo and card, giving the horses and weights of somo (.hristcinircb races. There wero no significant notes on the racebook, but on the envelope were notes of betting transactions on faces that day, accompanied by initiate. When arrested next day Detective Ward said Pointon remarked, "You follows would hang a man, but I will be a bookmaker all my life." Mr. Singer, for the dofendant, submitted that tlio' actions noted might havo been those of a mem tier of the public who was in company with friends at tho races, and was sharing bets on the totalisator with them. Mr Frazer, S.M,, (JecidSed that unless tho dofendant Went into tho box and gave a satisfactory explanation of the actions noted there must be a eon" viction. . ' • Mr. Singer intimated that he would not put his client in the box, and his Worship stated that- a conviction mast bo recorded. Defendant's record show-' cd that ho had been three times previously convicted for betting. On tho present charge ho was sentenced to two months' imprisonment,, with hard labour.