THE SHANNON TWO-UP CASE.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLI, Issue 2006, 24 July 1919, Page 3

THE SHANNON TWO-UP CASE.

CONVICTION S ENTER ED. At the Magistrate’s Court, Palmerston North, before Mr J. L. Stout, S.M., (he charge against William Gardner and Charles Vaughan, for playing hvo-up at Shannon, was re-heard. These men wore charged on the 15th inst. with having, within view of passers-by in a public place at Shannon, played “two-up.” Magistrate Stout had dismissed the case at that hearing, agreeing with the contention of counsel for the accused, that the place was not a publice one. However, on the application of the Police it was decided, by his Worship, to re-open the case. His Worship said the vital question to be decided was whether the place was a public place. Detective-Sergeant Quirke considered there was no doubt that the game was played in view of a public place, as would be borne out by the fact that the fence over which Constable Condon saw the game was only four feet high. His Worship said that as the constable did not have to “stand on a box” to look over the fence the place must be regarded as “being in view of the public.” He would enter a conviction, but as the case was only a “test” one he would impose only a nominal penally. Both men appeared to have good characters, and had no previous convictions against them. Each accused was lined 10s and costs.