ALLEGED GAMING HOUSE

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2793, 10 June 1916, Page 7

ALLEGED GAMING HOUSE

A CHRISTCIIt'IiCII PROSECUTION, By Telceraph—Prcsa Association. Christchurch, Juno. 0. Robert Michael Cox, Archibald Hunt, and James Philip Walsh were charged to-day with keeping a common gaming house. The police stated that Detective Carney, of Wellington, under the assumed name of Henry S. Jennings, made-a bet with Cox by telegram, and the policn subsequently raided the oflice, finding defendants and two other men. Four witnesses' who had made bets with defendants were called, -but refused to answer questions. Mr. Cassidy, for the defence, submitted that there was no evidence. against Hunt. The Magistrate agreed,-but said he would have to explain' his presence in; the room. Counsel, also submitted that thore was no evidence 'that tho room was kept.for betting purposes, also: that betting was not illegal except in 'certain circumstances. 'L'ho section of the Act,under which the informatiou 'was laid provided that i,t must be prcved that betting . transactions were" negotiated in tho room, either in person, by. the Post and Telegraph, or by telephone, and no evidence had been adduced ia support of this. It had been laid down per se that the business of betting was legal, and carrying out their business defendants had not contravened the law. The Magistrato, vemarke<l that ho had his own idea on the subject, but would give a written judgment on Friday. Jlcssrs.'A'.' h..Wilson and Co. will sell a small cottagc property in Walter Street by' auction, on Wednesday, at Z. 30 o'clock. It is described by the auctioneers as a good investment-.at the, price, required. Two farms, suttaMe for dairying or crop ping purposes, are advertised for sale by Sfrsssr. H-arcourt and Co., Wellington. A ten-roomed-house, Etandlng on sixteen' acres ot land at- Te Meliea Bay, , six miles from Picton, is brought undc-r tho notice of business men about" to retire, as a suit able spot' for a quiet life. ' Jlr. E. J. Bur- . nett. Wellington, is the agent. A property owner advertises to cxc'i-anro ' his 970-acre farm for a smaller farm or town property. 'The agont is Mr. Uco. H. Buckc-ridge, iiltham. '.