PROFESSIONAL TIPSTERS,

Gisborne Times, Volume VI, Issue 228, 4 October 1901, Page 2

PROFESSIONAL TIPSTERS,

STRONG REMARKS BY JUDGE KETTLE.

By Telegraph—Press Association. Wanganui, last night.

At the Police Court to-day live men, arrested oil the racecourse on the first clay of the races, were charged with having no visible means of support. Evidence was given by the police to the effect that the ; accused frequented racecourses, and made their living' by tote betting and giving “ tips ” of races. Mr Kettle, S.M., in giving judgment, said that defendants were charged with being idle and disorderly persons within the meaning of Section "20 of the Police Offences Oct, 1884. The evidence showed that they had no visible lawful means of support, land the question which the Court had to determine under this section of the Act was whether they had given good account of their means of support to the satisfaction of the Court. The evidence showed, and defendante themselves admitted that they g.u , . ; i.-ir livelihood by travelling about .W.v Zealand from racecourse to racecourse backing horses on the totalisator, and giving •• iips " to persons who wished to invest money on the totalisator. Mr Kettle held that this was not recognised by respectable people as a legitimate method of obtaining a livelihood, and as this was the only way in which the defendants obtained their subsistence he could not hold that they had given a good account of their means of support. The defendants were therefore convicted of being idic- and disorderly persons. Mr Kettle counselled defendants to abandon this mode of life, and to seeksome honorable employment. If they continued in their present path it would result in only one thing, and that was gaol, Defendant were convicted, and ordered to come up for sentence when called upon.