BOOKMAKING CHARGES
GREYMOUTH, .May 20
The result of the recent activities of the police in their raids on premikes alleged to be used for bookmakiug purposes, and the consequent arrests, was hoard yesterday before Mr W. Meldrum, S.M. Proceedings continued throughout the day, and will be completed to-day. Those charged* were :—Daniel McCarthy, being the occupier of premises In Boundary Street did use same as a common gaming house on April 12th. and May 10th.
James Hassall, being the occupier of premises in Albert Street-, did use 1 same as a common gaming bouse on April 11th. and May 10th. Philip Stew,art, cm May 10th., assisting in conducting the business of a common gaming house.
James Heffemau, on April 11th. and -May 10th. assisting in conducting the business of a common gaming house. It was generally thought that the evidence forthcoming would be on the ■ aid made oil .May 10th. so that there was general surprise when it became known that a plain clothes policeman from Christchurch had been collecting evidence since April. The extent of his investigations was revealed when he evidenced as to making bets with some of the defendants.
Evidence was given of the making of the raids, and what was found, at some length.
Ernest Dunn said that he was a plain clothes constable attached to the detective staff at Christchurch. Acting under instructions he had come to the West Coast to collect evidence sis to bookmaking being carried on. At 10.30 on the morning of April 12th. he bad gone into McCarthy's shop. The latter had come from the rear of the shop and when asked by witness replied that he would take a hot. Tin's 7 had gone inside. He (witness) stayed at tiie slide .and defendant had told him he would find acceptance cards on the slide. Witness had put 10s ou Gold Bag, all up Tlaze, botli horses being starters at the Westport meeting. Defendant- wrote the bet i’oavu on a piece of notopaper and had then said to witness, “I’ll put you -down as Club Hotel, so I’ll know who you are.” Later in - the morning witness had gone hack and defendant told him that Gold Bag had missed in the first race. Witness then put 10s on Haze nil up Envoy in the Waikato Cup. When he made the first bet he had tendered a pound note to defendant, who had given him 10s 0d change. When asked about the (id defendant had told him that lie gave a discount of Is in the £1 as a commission. On April 1-lih he had gone to Hokitika, where lie made hots with Turner. The horses he backed were Haze and Deluge, being a 10s all up bet. He had informed Turner that he was returning to Groymouth that night, and Turner had told him to call on McCarthy, if the horses, won. Witness did this, and defendant had. telephoned Turner, and asked how much the latter owned Dunn, receiving the reply that the amount was £2 17s Ud. Defendant had a string on the door leading to Iris office, which opened the door for anyone coming iii. There were also peep-holes in the window of the office.
In the charge against Hassall and Heffernan, Ernest Arthur Dunn sa.ii that on the afternoon of April 11th. lie went into Hnssall’s billiard room. He saw defendant, Hassall, coming from his office and leave an acceptance card in a box on the opposite of the room. 'I lie results of four of the races- at Hawke’s Bay were marked on the card. Witness went into the office and made some bets. He then asked defendant if he had a double going on the Easier meeting at Christchurch. Defendant had given witness a chart. He then left the billiard room, returning later. At 4 p.m. lie saw defendant leave the premises. Prior to this witness saw several men going in and coining from the office. When the plume t rang, Hofleinan would go into the office and come out with another result, llelfernau left and witness made another bet with him. The next day he again visited the office and asked Hassall for a Hawke’s Bay card. Hassall had brought out a big pile of cards, butcould not find one for Hawke’s Bay. Hassall bad got the acceptances out of the “Argus” and witness made two more bets under the name of Duncan. '1 hero were always some men in the billiard room but on the afternoon in question only two men were using the ta bios.
The fact that betting material was found on the premises did not constitute prima facie evidence of hookmaking, under the Act, was submitted by Mr Hannan. So long as persons ..id not resort to the place, or make bets by message, nothing ' count be done. No nroof bad been brought forward to show that bets were made on .May 10th. and the evidence of bets I*l ;i d e on April 12th. were not admissible. '1 he whole point was whole the business was localised. It was admitted that Constable Dunn’s evidence, concerning April 12th. was not sufficient to prove the charge of keeping a common gaming house, and he submitted that the evidence collected on May I.oth. was not admissible. ’The S.M. .reserved his decision in these cases till Monday next.
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Hokitika Guardian, 20 May 1930, Page 6
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894BOOKMAKING CHARGES Hokitika Guardian, 20 May 1930, Page 6
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