BETTING ON FORM

Evening Star, Issue 19800, 25 February 1928, Page 11

BETTING ON FORM

ADVISE OH WAGERING AH INTERESTING PROSECUTION [Per Unitec Press Association.] 'AUCKLAND, February 24. A totalisator betting system, described by its promoters as “ the greatest historic discovery which the tun has known,” formed the basis of an action heard in the Police Court today by Mr F-. K. Hunt, S.M. The lt systemgtiv© rise to two clmiges preferred against Edward Willerson Warren (Mr Goldstine). The first count was that the defendant sent to Constable G. A. Haines a circular with intent to induce him to apply to the defendant for advice for purposes of wagering on horse races. The second count w*e that Warren caused to be inserted in the ‘ New Zealand Referee an advertisement whereby it was made to appear that the defendant was wnlino- to give information and advice as to"the probable result of horse races. Constable Haines said he wrote to the New Zealand Reinvestment Company and received in rep'y a circuuir marked “ strictly private and tonudential.” A heading styled the company as agents for “ tho elimination method of scientific tf.tali.sn tor speculation.” stating that tho “elimination method” might well be termed the greatest historic discovery which the turf has ever known.” The circular wont on to state; “From time immemorial the key to success in totalisiitor investment has been sought, ami time after time turf sneculators have been driven back disheartened and sometimes mined. A gentleman of high mathematical attainments with groat knowledge of racing and the patience of a mole, approached the matter from the point of view of f lie statistician, and, after analysing ten years’ racing, a task taking some fifteen months, arrived at this wonderful result.” “The turning point in the fortunes of those capable of grasping the great fact and stepping into the ranks of the successful before the door is closed,” was another sentence in the appeal. In comparing the “ system ” to actuarial practice, the circular termed insurance companies “ great betting corporations,” based on the laws of probability and average, as was the case in the formnlie offered by defendant for £lO 10s. Investments based on the system over tho past season were said to show a return of 47 per centt, practically every second bet being a call to the pay-out window. Both the original circular and a second ono sent when the witness made no reply'to the first, contained certificates bv accountants showing that investments by the system resulted in profitable returns. The Chief Detective; “Realty the system advocated the strict following of form, which is the best advice of all oven if it is not always profitable.” The chief detective added that the system advocated betting “on form” on the second and third days of meet ings. Mr Goldstine argued that no bread of the Act had been committed, since tho system referred merely to tire legalised totalisator, was soundly based on actuarial lines on the laws of average, did not refer to any particular race or horse, and was, indeed, in the matter of publicity, in the same position as legalised raffles and lotteric’ which were advertised. The Magistrate said he would reserve judgment on tho legal aspect of the first charge.