AS BAD AS BETTING!

NZ Truth, Issue 1203, 20 December 1928, Page 3

AS BAD AS BETTING!

No Money In Training Horses, Says Destitute Veteran SONS SUED FOR MAINTENANCE (From . - N.Z. Truth's" Special Christchurch Representative). - Unless you keep on winning, and have a few pounds on each time, there's no money m. training horses. This is the solemn dictum of Richard Emerson, and he ought to know, foi; he was m tlqie training game for years.

EMERSON did not qualify his remark by indicating whether it applied to fast horses, or slow ones, but he pleaded to Magistrate Lawry that, now being unable to work, his career had left him ' penniless and destitute, 'and he sought the assistance of the court m asking that his three sons, Charles Richard Emerson, the well-known horseman, William Henry . TEmei'son, and Herbert Kenmore Emerson, contribute towards his keep. w \ ■'-■ So far as Charles was concerned, Lawyer J. A. Connal submitted on his behalf that he had done a lot up till the present m assisting the family. Quided by Lawyer W. Tracy, the complainant stated that his total revenue was 17/6 per week, derived from the old age pension. He was at present Under the care of a doctor, and was unable to worl,. He paid ,12/6 'a week for his room, and received no _ .other money whatever. His son William was livintg somewhere m the North . '_ island, and jiist roamed about getting a job. here and there, so he had no idea of what he cquld contribute towards complainant's upkeep. ' Lawyer Connal: But William is strong and able to earn up to £5 a week when he works? Emerson: He might be, but I don't know where he is. You have been a. horse trainer all your life up till last Easter?— Yes. And did pretty well at it, didn't you? — No, there's no profit m horsetraining. Didn't you have up to fifteen horaea m training at times?— l never had more than about eight, and only had two m work at the end, There's nothing m training them unless ydu keep on winning, and have a few pounds on each time you win. • I Counsel: Haven't you put the

To The Mother

profits somewhere else?- You bet heavily, don't you? — I was only an. 'ordinary bettor.* Just a pound now and again. ' - • Didn't Charlie arrange, to get a horse for you down south arid give ybu, a. tenner to rig yourself out to gojdown? — I' almost had to cadge it, ar\d the owner only offered £2/10/-. a week, ahd intended to sell the horse.. You are able to attend all, the races. Didn't, .you go to the cup meeting, and the trots?: — I. was one "day 1 at each' meeting. ' ■ .' Were you betting?— How could I when I had no money? ' . Charlie does not wish to avoid paying towards your keep,, but. he objects to the way you spend the money. Don't you spend a good- deal on women?— No, never. - . When did you give it up? Lawyer Tr^cy interjected that if the son ' did not wish to help his father, he would have to find another objection than ah old . family dispute. ) 7 .' Lawyer Cohnal: Tou saw the woman yesterday? Emerson: I see her when she |s m. town, but there is nothing m that. It is hard times if you can.'t speak to anyone. .Yoii . can't keep ■ Women on the pension and bor- . rowed money. 7 Lawyer Connal told the court that Charlie had no objection' to keeping his father if the money was spejit properly, and he preferred paying it to his' mother. S.M.':' But the parties are separated. 7 Lawyer Tracy: Mrs. Emerson has just returned from the North Island. Emerson: And we are friendly againi •No objection was offered by any of the sons, and the magistrate made orders of 30/- per week against Charles, 10/- per week against William, and 5/per week against Herbert. '