THE IMPRISONMENT OF BOOKMAKERS.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXV, Issue 2239, 16 November 1907, Page 3

THE IMPRISONMENT OF BOOKMAKERS.

PETITION TO THE HOUSE

SENTENCES “UNJUSTIFIABLE AND EXCESSIVE.” Press Association. CHRISTCHURCH, Nov. 15.

The following petition bearing on the recent sentences imposed on bookmakers -for trespassing on tlie Riccarton racecourse during the C.J.C. Aletropolitan meeting is now being circulated and is being largely signed: “To the Hon. the Speaker and members of the House of Representatives in Parliament assembled. —The Petition of the undersigned men and women of Canterbury humbly shows that on the thirteenth day of November, 1907, at the Police Court, Christchurch, Air. Day, S.M., sentenced Alessrs Lovelock, Bates, Butler, Campbell, Coburn, Courtney, Isaacs, Norman, Luby, Ryan, Shaccel, Tuckey, and Varcoe to two months’ imprisonment, and Messrs Noel, Duval, •Jones, Robinson, and Saunders to ono month’s imprisonment, on a charge of wilful trespass on the Christchurch public racecourse reserve; that the so-called wilful trespass was not the ordinary offence so termed, but in /reality a breach of a by-law" framed by tho trustees ot Christchurch public racecourse reserve prohibiting betting except by means of tho totalisator ; - the prosecutions were initiated and carried on by the Canterbury Jockey Club with the sole object of protecting the revenue of the tote and were not authorised or countenanced by the Police Department ; in addition to the above terms of imprisonment tlie Alagistrate stated ho was determined that the costs of tlio Club should bo paid by the accused persons or in default an additional twenty-eight days’ imprisonment would bo inflicted—an unprecedented action. Your petitioners aro firmly of the opinion that the above sentences aro unjustifiable, excessive, and not commensurate witli the offenco with which tho men were charged. Your petitioners believe that the accused have been sent to prison not for the act of trespass hut for being rivals for public favor ill competition with the tote. Your petitioners therefore humbly ask that your Honorable-House will take such steps as are necessary to commute the above sentences of imprisonment or grant such other relief as your Honorable House may seem fit, and your petitioners as in duty bound will ever pray, etc.”