TWO-UP ON THE RAILWAY.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLII, Issue 2220, 28 December 1920, Page 3

TWO-UP ON THE RAILWAY.

SUBSTANTIAL FINES INFLICTED. Passengers in a carriage on the mail train from Wellington to New Plymouth one day recently, after leaving Aramoho, became annoyed by a number of young men who had instituted a “two-up” game. Play continued up to Waitotara, when complaint was made to the guard, and upon arrival at Ha worn information was given to the police, when two of the participants were apprehended, says the Star. The sequel took place in the Magistrate’s Court, when two respectably dressed young men, Joseph George Richardson and Stanley Frederick Robert Scott, were each charged with having played a game of chance in a railway carriage, to wit, “two-up.” Both defendants pleaded guilty. Sergeant Henry, who outlined the circumstances, said the police were able to secure two of the men concerned, but the others had not been located. It seemed, he said, that “two-up” was becoming a sort of national game, and something would have to be done to check it, particularly in the interests of young men travelling on the railways. He asked for a substantial penalty, so as to let it act as a warming to the defendants and others who were inclined to follow their example. In answer to the Bench, Sergeant Henry said there was nothing previously known against the defendants. Richardson appeared to have been the keeper of the ring. The Bench said it was a pity that the other men concerned had not been located.

Richardson was fined £lO, and iSeott £3. The charges of being rogues and vagabonds against the defendants .were withdrawn by the police.