MAGISTRATE'S COURT

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 2902, 14 October 1916, Page 15

MAGISTRATE'S COURT

GAMBLING ON THE /WATERFRONT

' CROWN AND ANCHOR ■Mr. I/. G. Keid heard ilio following eases at yesterday's sitting of tho Magistrate's Court: — Is "Crown and Anchor" an unlawful game? That question had to be deoided by tho Magistrate when Charles O'Connor was charged with having played a gamo of chance on Waterloo Quay breastwork. O'Connor wns also charged with being a roguo and a vagabond. When tho case had been mentioned previously, Mr. P. W. Jackson, who appeared for accused, wished tho charge to be amended from ono under tho Police Offences Act to tho Gaming Act, thus removing tlio cliargo of a rogue and vagabond. Counsol stated that liis client had, during tho past four months, earned over £40 by working on tho waterfront. It appears that "Crown and Anchor" is'quite a now game amongst the watersidcrs, and it has superseded tho wellknown games of "two up" and "hazards." When arrested by Constable Tricklobank, tho "Crown and Anchor" chart dice and a considerable | duantity, of loose coin, amouritiug to

about £8, was found on acoused. It was stated in evidence that O'Connor had made aB much aa £20 per week out of tho game. Ho had only earned at an average 4s. 4Jd. per -week far tha past two months at work on the water-' front.

At tho request of tihe Cburt, Con-' stable Tricklebank demonstrated the game, and after witnessing tho exhibition His Worship -was convinced that "Crown and Anchor" was an unlawful; game. ' _ ■ '

Inspector Hendrey, in pressing for & I penalty, said that, accused; had borne aij good character previously, and taking.' this fact into consideration ho would bo: prepared to' reduce' the charge to one! brought under the Gaming A"6?. Continuing, the Inspector said that the professional gambler was "an unmiti-i gated ourse" to women and children of the men who earned their money by hard work on the waterfront. "Women have come to me complaining of their husbands gambling on tho wharf," said Inspector Hendrey. ' 'Last Friday one, roan drew ovor £4 at 1 p.m., and at 4. p.m. he hadn't a penny to take home to his -wife and children." Ilis Worship remarked that he was: irilling to have the charge reduced, and;. imposed a fine of £10 with the alternative of a month's imprisonment. MISCELLANEOUS CASES. John Flannagan was fined 10s. William Wilson 205., for insobriety. De-I fault was fixed! at seven days' imprisons ment in each case. James Bell, for a; 1 similar oft'enco, had his bail QQs.}., estreated. •: John Laughran, who was timrgedi) with having committed a grossly m-i decent act, set up an alibi as his da-' fence. The Magistrate gave accused;, the benefit of tho doubt, and the information. / ' Ernest Stokes, alias Wilson, : and' Beryl Gilman -were found on the', licensed promises of tie Belle .ViewHotel at a time when tho premises were required to bo closed. Mr* P. W„ Jackson; -who appeared for both the accused, entered a plea of not guilty, i After hearing tho evidence, however. His Worship said that a breach had been committed, and convicted Gilman, and fined Stokes 205., with costs amounting to 19s. Default was fced; at -seven days' imprisonment. Sadie Meek , is the owner of a dbg •which attacked a boy named Charles O'Neill recently, with the result that she appeared to aaswor a charge of having kept a dangerous dog. On the evidence His Worship said that he was quite satisfied thai the dog belonged to defendant, and a oonviction wauld have to bo recorded. Inspector Hendrey did not ask for a penalty, and tba. Magistrate agreeing Baid that defend-' ant must pay costs, amounting to 81s. A fine of _10s., with costs amounting to 95., was imposed on G. Burtenshaw, of Adelaido Road, for having indulged in Sunday trading.

BY-LAW CASES. E._ Kearney failed to notify the authorities of a chango in the ownership of a motor-car, and the offence cost him a fine of 10s. For having no light on his vehicle, Frederick Fredrico Was - fined 10s. Harry Mitchell and George Hollis left their vehicles unattended, .and were fined 10s. each. Further evidence was taken in the case of Charles Leathcrby, chargcd withhaving driven a motor-car on Evans Bay Koad in a dangerous manner. At the, conclusion of the caso Mr. D. G. A. Cooper, S.M., who was oh tie Bench, intimated that he would reserve his decision. , '