“ONLY A BET."

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLVI, Issue 2740, 31 May 1924, Page 4

“ONLY A BET."

VINCENT TS SENTENCED

appeals to judo!•: to -send lIIM HOME. "

JUSTICE DARLING QHO TED.

An anxious smile spread over the round, 'plump face of Walter Vincent, aged li2, ns lie stood clutching the rails of the dock at the Auckland Supreme Court while Mr .fnsHoe Stringer took his sent, preparatory to passing sentence on the fat little Lancashire man on two charges of having obtained money by false pretences, says the N.Z. Times Auckland correspondent. There had been some delay in bringing Vincent forward, owing to the fact that the Crown had been waiting for a report regarding the record of prisoner. The Crown Prosecutor (Mr Meredith) informed His Honour that the report had not come to hand. Vincent had been found guilty on charges of having obtained the sun of £220 from Herbert Dod Norris, and £3 from Henry Hastings Mellor, by false pretences. Practically the whole of the money had been recovered, said Mr Mere-dith.-The sum obtained from Mellor was still unaccounted for. “How long have you been in custody, prisoner?” queried Mr .Justice SI ringer. “I'll answer anything yon ask. sir,” said Vincent making a little cup for his car with his hand. ITis Honour: Well, I'm asking you now. How long . Crown Prosecutor: lie has been in custody since February (itli. “Could you deal with me under the Bettin’ Act, sir?” pleaded Vincent, in a hopeful tom;., “It was a bet. yer know, ’cause Justice Darling says that where a tmkcl is given it’s a bet. 1 gave a ticket sir, 1 was the bookmaker and they was as made the hots, sir, and that’s accordin’ to .Justice Darling, sir. Thank you.” ITis Honour concealed a smile behind his hand. “If you’ll only deal with me under the Beltin’ Act, sir,” continued Vincent, rapidly. “Yon could fine me £SOO, an’ I'm willing to pay it. Or von could send me Iloiiie, sir. Ale wife and four children are in Vancouver. sir, where T come from to here. II was only bets, sir, and Ibev was men of the world, not fools like. I gave them the tips wlmt i<> hack and they gave me the money. 1 just “Prisoner, it's of no ii.-e your talking like that to me." interjected Mr .Justine Stringer. “You have been found guilty of gelling this money by false pretences." “Don't you think the uhai'ge was

quite wrong, sir.’ asked \ im.-eul, more hopefully than even. “No. cert a inly not. I cuiiieL a giee with it." retorted liis Honour. “Well won't you line me. send me home or give roe prohut and then i could go to work in the stables here.'” tiers is ted prisoner. The .judge said it. was no case for. probation. Inquiries had been made about prisoner’s reputation. Inn the report had not arrived. -So i’ll treat this as your first offence," said His Honour.

“Thank yon very much. Oh thank voile hurst out Vim-nil with great enthusiasm. “You had better re-erve your thanks till you hear all that 1 haVe to say —- —" “Yes, thank yon!" Prisoner was a confident swindler, and hut for his early arrest, members of the community might have suffered a substantial loss owing to his operations, said Mr -lusliel Sit ringer. However, in consideration of the fact that prisoner had been m gaol tor about lt> weeks, sentence of six months' imprisoniiien would he passed. Vincent's eager eyes fairly sparkled. “Thank you, -ir." he said aojiin and brought his .hand to his forehead in a military salute. Then the warder lapped him on the shoulder and lie turned to descend the |iitie dark stairway that winds down from the dock to the cells below. From the depths came up a dual expresson of appreciation, deep tones, mu (Tied —'‘Tlumk you very much."

The .judge smiled anil left the court.