“TWO-UP.”

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXIV, Issue 1024, 28 March 1912, Page 3

“TWO-UP.”

A COSTLY PASTIME,

defendants convicted AND FINED £3 EACH.

As the result of a raid made by Constables Woods and Sweeney on a small two-up school on March 9th, five men were brought before the Magistrate, Mr A. D. Thompson, yesterday, charged with taking part in a game of “twoup.” The defendants were John Conchie, Thomas Curtis, Charles Munn, Charles Anderson, and Arthur McKegney. A letter was read from Curtis and Conchie, pleading guihy f° the charge, and asking for leniency, as they weie both married men, and this was the first time they had been brought before the Court. McKegney was in attendance, and pleaded guilty, but Munn and Anderson entered pleas of not guilty. The cases against the two last named were taken together, Constable Woods conducting the case on behalf of the police. The defendants were not represented by counsel. For the prosecution, Constable Sweeney stated that on the afternoon of March 9th, at about 5-3° o’clock, in company with Constable Woods, he went to a paddock at the back of the Post Office Hotel, and upon looking through a hole in a board fence, saw the defendants engaging in a game of “two-up.” There were eight persons present, but three of them were not taking part in the game. He watched for about ten minutes, and saw altogether seven tosses, of which McKegney threw five, and in two of these throws money changed hands. The defendants were betting on the game, and witness saw them take money out of their pockets and pay to or collect from the others. He was 26 yards away from the men. After each toss the defendants would close round the ring, but the men that were looking on did not do this. Witness knew the defendants well, and had no doubt that they wt-re the men. He also saw Conchie luss the pennies twice, but did not see any money change hands on these occasions. Witness said that when they approached the men they searched McKegney and Conchie, but could not find the “kip.” Constable Woods told McKegney and Munn that they had been warned before, and that the five of them would be brought before the Court.

To the Magistrate: The spot where the defendants were playing was about 15 to 20 yards from Main Street and could be seen from the road.

In reply to questions by Anderson, witness said he saw him taking part in the game. As Jar as he could see, he was betfing with Conchie. Saw him either receive or pay out money. To Munn : Would swear that he was standing up, not sitting, Constable Woods corroborated the previous witness’ evidence. Anderson was standing next to Conchie, and either paid to or received money from him. Munn was standing next to Curtis, with whom he was wagering.

To Anderson: I saw you betting. When we approached them, Anderson walked quietly away, but did not attempt to evade them. Munn and Anderson had both been previously warned. When warned previously by witness and Constable McDonald, Munn had said : “You’ll have to catch us first.”

The defendants elected to make statements in preference to going into the witness box.

Anderson said the day in question was pay-day at the mill at which he worked, and upon reaching home he handed his cheque to his wife, and when he came down the street he didn’t have a penny on him, so it was impossible for him to bet on the game. The only witness he could possibly call would be his wife, and be didn’t wish to do that. Munn stated that he was sitting down during the whole time he was present, and took no part in the game. He called Arthur McKegney, who stated that Munn was sitting alongside a shed. Witness did not see Munn pass any money, or see him betting, nor did he hear him making a bet. He did not see Anderson betting with anyone either. To Constable Woods: Munn was not playing while he was there. It was impossible to see them from the road as they were behind a shed and the hotel was also in the way. On each of the five occasions that witness tossed the pennies, money changed hands. Both Anderson and Munn were non-players, and never took part in the game. Munn was sitting down about four yards at the back, but got up when the police came on the scene. To Anderson; Can’t say whether you were present on a previous occasion or not. Constable Woods recalled, said he was positive that Munn was standing up. Constable Sweeney was also recalled and stated definitely that Munn was standing. Munn had had a good deal of drink that day and perhaps did not remember what he was doing. Witness saw Munn either pay to or receive money from McKegney. The Magistrate said he was satisfied that both defendants must be convicted as well as the other three, who had pleaded guilty. All five would be fined £3 each and costs 7s. Forty-eight hours were allowed in which to find the money.