BETTING TOTE ODDS.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXV, Issue 2042, 20 November 1907, Page 3

BETTING TOTE ODDS.

A BOOKMAKER GIVES DISHONORED CHEQUE. CAUSTIC REMARKS FROM THE BENCH.

Press AssociationDUNEDIN, Nov. 19. Benjamin! Curtis, tobt.icconk.it, pleaded .“not guilty” at the Police Court to-day to three charges 1 of betting tote odds. Evidence, tor the prosecution was thlat a man" named' Gedldes sent telegrams in Ouiflis fromu the AVeMiiiigton) and Riccartoni races in August, backing ■certain h'o-rs’es, tlie arrangement being that he was to- be ppid at tote odds if lie won. Gedd-es Won- £S2 lira, and in settlement Curtis sent Quran a cheque signed by his son-, which was dishonored. Gedd-es iiir atituted civil 1 proceedings for recovery of the money, but was liian-su-ited. The defence was that bets were not made, with Curtis himself, who -Was lying ill -a. semi-conscious condition at the time.

Tho Aiagisitirat'e held the case proven, and said this system of gamib<linig was the most pernicious in existence. . It was quite clear defendant "was hdokmaki.il g -and in the habit of making belts, and on this occasion lie was dishonorable enough not to pay, debts owing by him. He. thought it was a mean, despicable act, and he did* not intend to take a lenient view of it. He would fine defendant £25 on each .of three charges, with 11s Gd costs in each indtan.ee.