"HAZARDS!”

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXVII, Issue 8357, 18 February 1913, Page 4

"HAZARDS!”

TAKEN AND LOST. PENNY TOSBER OUTWITTED BY A POLICEMAN. Devotees of the kip and the doubleheaded penny who love to congregate in the precincts of the Ferry, wharf and the Glasgow wharf to while away their delightful workless hours always run a risk, and they know it. Consequently the offenders seldom get within the clutches of the law. James Byan did one day last week, however, and he appeared before Mr W. G. Riddell, S.M., at the Magistrate’s CoUrt yesterday to answer a charge of playing “hazards” near the King’s wharf. Oft did the money to his dice-throw yield—at least a constable who had seen him at play gave evidence to that effect. Suddenly the policeman pounced from his _ hiding-place, and whilst accused's eight comrades bolted, Ryan was, much to his annoyance, hurried away to the police station. There ha Was searched, and was found to have the sum of 9d in his possession. “I was only looking at the crowd, I didn’t understand,” was Ryan’s explanation to the magistrate. “New,, you are very innocent this morning, what were you doing?” inquired Sub-Inspector Sheehan in an appealing tone of voice. “I was looldng—l didn’t know what they were doing. I wasn’t throwing the dice,” replied accused lyIn detailing what took place when he made his appearance, the constable had stated that he made a dive for the money on the ground, and Ryan tried to get some of it too. The constable was quicker than his prisoner, but the latter asked that he might be given a share of the haul. _ Recollecting this evidence, the sub-inspector asked Ryan who the money belonged to. Accused: It might have belonged to anyone. The Sub-inspector: What right had you to it if that was the case? Accused; Well, it was left there. I thought I might have some just as well as a policeman. (Laughter.) Addressing the Bench, Sub-Inspec-tor Sheehan add that tile playing of “two-up,” "hazards,” and other -illegal games was a perfect nuisance on the wharves at times, and there was great in getting evidence against; such men as Ryan, Complaints were frequently made, and the police were doing all in their power to stamp the practice out. He asked that a severe penalty be imposed. His Worship: Accused will ( be fined £4, in default fourteen days. Ryan; I’ll do the fourteen days.