Mayfair Hostess of Gaming House

Manawatu Times, Volume 62, Issue 23, 28 January 1937, Page 3

Mayfair Hostess of Gaming House

FINED £IOO DESPITE PLEA THAT SHE DID IT FOR HOSPITAL A Mayfair woman, Margaret Mauley, aged 42, who said sho ran gaming parties on behalf of a hospital, was fined £IOO with £SO costs at Bow street (London). Her associate, Ene Marcus, aged 34, was tine # d £5. Both pleaded guilty to having been concerned together in keeping and managing certain premises in Alford street, Park lane, as a common gaming house. Eight persons accused of frequenting tho premises were bound over for six months in the sum of £5 each. Superintendent Henry Dalton said when he visited the premises under a warrant with other officers he saw nine persons sitting around a baize-covered table. "Mrs Manley told me,’’ he said, "that she takes 5 per cent, of the winnings. "From these winnings she pays expenses for refreshments, drinks and a croupier, and tho remainder she sends to Golden square hospital. Mrs Marcus was paid two guineas for acting as croupier." Tho officer produced three receipts for sums of £25, £l2, and £25 sent to the hospital. The superintendent said ho estimated that in about ono and a-half hour’s play nearly £4OO had changed hands. Mr Eric Dodds (foi aL the defendants) said that some years ago Mrs Manley’s son was cured at Gold n square hospital. Slie was not then able to give a subscription, and began these gaming parties to help the hospital. They were always properly run, and if required he could call evidence that Mrs Manley had sent £lB2 to the hospital. Tiio magistrate said that it was apparent that this was a gaming house on a substantial scale, and that the winnings must have been substantial.