"TWO-UP" PLAYERS

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 22, 21 October 1919, Page 6

"TWO-UP" PLAYERS

THE CASTLECLIFF "SCHOOL" ABOUT FORTY MEN FINED By Telegraph-Special Correipondent. Wanganui, October ai. The Police Court was crowded to-day on the occasion of the "two-lip" cases, and grout interest was evinced in the proceedings. Thirteen of those charged with playing "two-lip" in a public placo appeared to answer the charges, whilst 28 of the "school" were absent. In outlining the case, BetectiveScrgeant Hollis said that for some conKiderable timo, past a large "Iwo-up school" 'had been in progre.is in tlu> vicinity of Lnndon Park, Cnstleclilf. This park was owned by the Harbour Buard, nnd was leased to the CastlecliH Town Board as a reserve for general purposes. Sunday afternoon was. tlio time usually selected lor plav during the time the "school" was under observation. Some 40 or 50 men usually gathorcd there of u Sunday afternoon, and tlio result was tihat persons in the vicinity of tlio placo and children were sometimes driven away by the bad language oi those frequenting tlio "school." Complaints wore made, regarding the bad language that was used, and these reached headquarters, -wilili the- remit that action was taken. The police investigated the site of the "school," and found that it was almost impossible to get at it in the ordinary way. The pit had been made in a hollow, whMi' was surrounded by high ground, which hid the plavcrs from the observation of anybody a few yards away. Scouts wero posted around tlio locality, who would alarm the players on the approach of the police or any other suspicious person. A rush would, therefore, have failed, so a dugout was built within 30 feet of the pitch, and tlipro Constables Farmvc.rth and M'Mnllen secreted themselves on Sundn.v afternoon, September 28. Thcv would givo evidence as to the play lind the nature of tlio langua.go that was u«ed. Not only was the game played on Sundays. but' during the last race meeting. He had reason to believe it was carried on tbe day between the race days. On tho first day the plnyers got a. scare. They had been playing for about an iliour when the scouts came back. The players scattered to another place. On October 12 something like tO men rolled up. The scouts were then posted, and tho game went on till about 3.30, when tlio raid took nlacc. Several since tho summonses had been served hud come to him for advice, as some were afraid of losing Wieir employment. His Worship: Those who do not appear do not lose a day's pay like those who are here.

Detective-Sergeant Hollis: I Md. tnem all to face the mnsje. Thev all considered that they had been fairlv and squarely caught. Evidence was then given by the polleo Wring out the statement of the proseeutiou. Detective-Secant Hollis said that most of the defendants were ordinary "two-lip'' players, and he pointed out the difference between them and ringkeepers. He alleged that the ''innkeepers encouraged the others to play. Bokker admitted that he was playing "two-up," but denied that he had used bad language. "The police are to be congratulated upon n very clever and complete capture," said the Magistrate, Mr. Wyvent Wilson, in giving his decision. It wns a matter of exceeding difficulty to detect "two-up" players, he said. Any. one who had had experience knew iu>w frequent the game was when a fullyorganised "school" like this one was in full swing. It was almost impossible for anyone not known to the scouts to get near. This diffioulty wns successfully got over owing to the clever device adopted by the police. With regard to the seriousness of gambling His Worship pointed out tlint the Legislature ' had made the maximum ■ penalty >£50, or three months' imprisonment. That was n fairly heavy penalty, but in these cn«es hp did not intend to impose anytiling like the maximum. It might uo thought to be a harmless occupation to to,ss a ooin for small bete such as 55., or Ids., or even J-'l. If t'iey went to tho races they could have their bet on til? totalisaU/r, why should not thuy have it on the toss of a coin? His Worship 6aid that that wns a wrong argument. In watching the spin of a coin them could not be much sport. It was pure and simple gambling. Gambling was pernicious in this way. Where a man could win J2lO on the spiu of a coin, he would want to work two weeks to earn the same sum This was an influence which should be counteracted, especially at the present, time, when it was essential to increase production. There should not bo any parasites living upon the work of others. That was the influence of gambling. ' His Worship imposed the following fines: First offenders who had como to the Court and had thus lost n. day's pay, «£2 each for one charge and £i 10s. for two; first offenders who did not appeal - , .{l2 10s. for one charge and ,o,') for two; second offonders, £5. The two ring-keepers were each fined ,£I(I. Hnc.li defendant was ordered to pay, the costs of Court, 7s.