BETTING WITH "INFANTS."

Oamaru Mail, Volume XXXVI, Issue 10060, 30 January 1909, Page 1

BETTING WITH "INFANTS."

(I'Ktt Pkkss Association.)

Wellington, January 29. At the Magistrate's Court to-day, llarry Feuwick. who described himself as a bookmaker, and who was defended by -Mr Fitzgibbons, pleaded not guilty to a charge of having betted on Minimal- racecourse with an infant at the last race meeting. The " infant" turned out to be a strapping .Maori lad eighteen and a-lutlt" years of age, for whose assistance (in the firstinstance) Mr Parala was engaged as interpreter. 11 is evidence was that he went out to the races on January 21st and sawdefendant "calling the odds" in the ring. He gave defendant os and asked- him for a ticket on a racehorse named Billy on the last race but one. Mr Fitzgibbon:_ "Can von speak English'C—"Yes; a little.' "And you spoke in English to defendant';" —"Oh, yes: I just give him five bob and asked him for a ticket." "Why," you. speak English perfectly." The Maori grinned generously, and it was not- until his father, a somewhat aged native, came into the box, that -Mr Parata's services under the oath that he would translate

"the Maori language into the English lanirua"o. and the English language into the .Maori language, rendered to the best of your skill and ability, so help you, Clod," were brought under requisition. 3lr Fitzgibbon -said the defence to the prosecution was a straight-out- denial that the defendant had any knowledge of any such bet having been made by him. Counsel submittedlhat tire bookmakers were recognised by the law. and in cases where they took all reasonable precautions and questioned persons whom they suspected of being under age, if any offence was committed it was of a purely technical character. The object of the Act, it was submitted, was to prevent betting with infants in "tote" shops and on the public streets. The accused, Harry Fenwick, stated oil oath that he invariably inquired of the persons who desired to bet with him if he suspected them of being under age, and indeed not very long ago when he had a doubt about a young fellow's age and questioned him, the "infant" became incensed, and taking oft his coat offered to fight him. His Worship 6aidthe penalty for the offence was a severe one, as in the discretion of the' magistrate the offender might be fined £IOO. Defendant would be fined £5 and costs £4 Is 9d. In regard to a similar charge brought against "Bob"' Hunter, Air Fitzgibbon, who appeared for defendant, said that after his Worship's decision, in Fenwick's case he would enter a plea of guilty. Defendant was fined £5 with £2 5s costs.