RECOVERY OF RACING DEBTS.

Globe, Volume II, Issue 135, 5 November 1874, Page 3

RECOVERY OF RACING DEBTS.

(From the Leader), A case just decided at Liverpool with regard to the recovery of racing debts is likely to cause some consternation among that rather numerous class who consider it a great weakness to pay their debts when they lose, and a great bore to be asked for the money. A forgeman, who, as is customary in the north, executes small commissions at Barrow for his fellow workmen, had for a long time been in the habit of telegraphing to a bookmaker in Manchester, to cover or otherwise invest for him ; but getting during the Spring of the present year £BO in debt, this backer thought it a very good opportunity for cutting the connection, never dreaming he could be made to pay. It seems he had some grievance, real or fancied,

about the bookmaker’s not having invested as desired upon Vestmiusi-er last year for the Lincoln Handicap, and considered that his evasion of payment would make the matter quits. After hearing the case, however, the jury, despite the acts which were cited in the defendant’s behalf, returned a verdict at. once for the whole of the amount claimed. This will be a cruel blow to those who have considered themselves privileged by Act of Parliament to plunder bookmakers by drawing when lucky and ignoring transactions when the reverse. The present uncertain state of the betting laws seems to have one good effect if no other —that of putting a stopper on one set of the thieves and swindlers who have for so long been protected by Parliament.