SOCIETY GAMBLERS

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXVII, Issue 8350, 10 February 1913, Page 3

SOCIETY GAMBLERS

LONDON, December 29. Proceedings arising out of the police raid on what ie alleged to have been a largo gaming establishment at 41, Wilton crescent, Belgrade square, occupied the Westminster Police Court last Monday. The accused were Boy Mackay, 24, Vijilliam Marshall Grose, 32, merchant, both giving the address 41, Wilton crescent, Beigrave square, and they were charged with keeping those premises for the purpose of unlawful gaming. Three servants, named George Pratt, George Martin, and Henry Johnson, hall porter, were charged with assisting in the management and conduct of the premises. Originally thirteen other defendants were before the court as being found on, or visiting, the premises for illegal gaming, and they were bound over not to frequent a gaming house in the future. ■ The police who raided the premises alleged that “chemih-de-fer" was being played in the drawing-room, and that it was evident that gaming for large sums had been in progress. Counsel described the bouse as “one of the largest gaming establishments in the Metropolitan Police district.” At the outset Mr Philip Petrides, on behalf of Robert Borthwick, 41, engineer, of Regent street, one of the defendants bound over at the first hearing, asked to be allowed to make an application. He said Borthwick’s case was different from most of the others, in that he had come on the premises subsequent to the raid and in connection with a business commission, and not to take part in gaming. The Magistrate: He was one of those bound over, was he not? Yes, but when he was searched, the police found that he had no money on him except 6s. He had no cheque-book, and merely had a commission note, and that was the' reason why he went to the house. The police told him that the matter would have to be inquired into at the police court. His name was called, over, and I think Mr Muskett said his case and that of two ethers differed from the remainder. The Magistrate: Ido not remember him saying anything of the kind. The Clerk: Mr Borthwick entered into recognisances with the others. Mr Petrides: Yes, but he did not consent. At any rate, he did noj know that by doing so it was an admission of being guilty of being on the premises for the purpose of gaming. The Magistrate; "Well, what does he want? Does he want to go to a gaming-house from which he is now debarred by the recognisances ? (Laughter.) Mr Petrides: No, sir. He is a business gentleman, and he has felt the advertisement the matter has given him. He wants to go into the wit-ness-box and say he was not guilty of the offence with which he is charged, and that when he entered into the recognisances he did so, not knowing that he was entering into an admission of guilt. He went to the house purely on business. The Magistrate: He is unfortunate in ly on business. He is unfortunate in having to do business at such places. I am afraid I cannot do anything else. Mr Petrides: I want you to exonerate him from any guilt. He had on'y 6s in his pocket, and that would not go far in such a place. The Magistrate: Perhaps he went there full of hope. Anyhow, I think your explanation is quite sufficient for what it is worth. The five defendants then entered the dock. Mr Arthur Newton, who is defending them, said it had been arranged with the prosecution, subject to the magistrate’s approval, that tie case should not be taken until Monday, January 13th. The magistrate agreed, and the case was accordingly adjourned, bail again being allowed.