A BETTING CASE.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XXII, Issue 9008, 22 November 1907, Page 2

A BETTING CASE.

Per Press Association. Dunedin, November 20. Benjamin Curtis, tobacconist, pleaded not guilty to three charges of betting toto odds. The evidence for the. prosecution was that a man named Goddes sent telegrams to Curtis from Wellington ana Riocartou races iu August, hacking certain horses, the arrangement being that lie was to bo paid tote odds it ho won. Gcddc-s won £B2 I4s, and in settlement Curtis Sent him a cheque, signed by his sou, aud which was dishonoured, Goddes instituted civil proceedings for the recovery of tiio money, but was nonsuited. The defence was that tiio hots -wore not made with Curtis himself, who was lying in a semi-conscious condition at tiio time, Tiio Magistrate hold the case proved, and said this system of gambling was the most pernicious in existence. It was quite clear dofondant was a bookmaker, in tiio habit of making bets, and on'this occasion ho was dishonourable enough not to pay debts owing by him. Ho thought "it was a .mean, despicable act, and lie did not intend to take a lenient view of it. He would fine defendant £2O on each of the three charges, and 11s Cd costs in each instance.