LAYING THE ODDS.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLVI, Issue 2807, 6 November 1924, Page 3

LAYING THE ODDS.

STOREMAN FINED £lO

A young* storeman, James Walker, who appeared before Mr C. R. Orr Walker, S.M., in the Wellington Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday, admitted that he had carried on the business of a bookmaker.

Chief-Detective Kemp explained that Walker had been arrested on Saturday night for drunkenness ahd when searched was found in possession of a double card, making provision for odds of £lO to one shilling on the New Zealand Cup and Stewards’ Handicap. The card disclosed and accused admitted that twenty-nine such bets had been made.

Mr C. B. O’Donnell said that three months ago accused had injured liabilities in the vicinity of £I,OOO in a motor collision and refusing to file a petition, worked on, paying off the damages at the rate of £2 per week out of his wages of £4 6s. The man was only a casual permanent hand, and he soon encountered difficulties. To raise the amount of the instalments he had disposed of personal belongings, and gradually was reduced almost to penury. Then was adopted the scheme which landed him before the Court.

His Worship took into consideration the man’s limited operations and the position of his finances anji imposed a fine of £lO, in default one month’s imprisonment. The penalty was directed to be paid at the rate of £2 per week.