Hotel Raided

NZ Truth, Issue 1141, 13 October 1927, Page 7

Hotel Raided

THE Wellington Magistrate's * Court last week found Michael Bourke, licensee of the City Hotel, facing a charge of having used his premises as a common gaming* house. Michael, through his counsel, Lawyer C. A. L. Treadwell, pleaded guilty to the offence, but stated m mitigation that he had only been acting "as an agent for others. Moreover, his takings did not extend beyond the modest sum of £2 a week. Bourke, who was managing the hotel, was m receipt of a salary of £8 a week and became possessed of the -notion that he could supplement his income by taking bets. He had already lost his license, having agreed to transfer it, and m view of these facts, counsel asked that a small fine be imposed. Detective Sergeant Holmes said Bourke had been taking small bets from customers for the last six months. The day the premises were raided a quantity of betting material was discovered. In imposing a fine of £20 and costs, Magistrate W. G. Riddell said Bourke must have known the risk ho was running. He allowed him one week m which to find the money. MMCJMUWWIWIIIWIIIIIIWtIIWIIUWIIIimiIIIWIIIIIIIWUIIIIIIiriIIIIWWIWWIIIWWWWIWIHWIItMIIIWII