WOMAN BOOKMAKER

Hokitika Guardian, 26 November 1930, Page 2

WOMAN BOOKMAKER

SMALL FINE IMPOSED. AUCKLAND, November 24. “Under the shadow of the machine she laid totalizator odds,’ ’said Detec-tive-Sergeant Kelly when Elsie Blandins Swindley, aged 45, appeared before 'Mr E. K. Hunt, S.M., in the Magistrate’s Court this morning, charged with laying totalizator odds at the Auckland Trotting Club’s Meeting on Saturday. Accused, who was arrested by Detective Nalder during the meeting, pleaded guilty. “Complaints were made by the Trotting Club that women were betting under the very shadow of the totalizator,” said Mr Kelly, “and the police were instructed to stop the practice. Accused was betting mostly with women, but the police managed to have three humble bets of half a crown each. Accused paid out totalizator odds. When she was arrested she had £7 in notes, and £2 8s 6d in silver.” Mr Kelly said that when interviewed accused had admitted the offence. She said she had been advised ,by some friends to take on bookmaking. However, she said she now intended to give the game up. Detectives, who had watched her. said it was apparent that she had been carrying on business a.t different racecourses. One detective had seen her at the Avondale races. Tt was also alleged that she had “welshed.” Her husband was out of a job. Ho was an invalid, and she had two children to look after, “T have never laid the odds until this last meeting,” sold accused. Mr Hunt: Well, will you give me an undertaking to give it up if I let you off lightly this time?—Yes, sir.

Accused was fined £2, “and you can’t go on a course now,” remarked Mr Hunt.

“I won’t want to,” was the reply