WHY THE TOTALISATOR'S WERE SIEZED.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 2217, 26 April 1880, Page 2

WHY THE TOTALISATOR'S WERE SIEZED.

[Bv Tklkguai’ii.] Auckland, April 24. The circumstances under which the seizure yesterday of two totalizators and the two men connected with their working. was effected, is stated to be as follows :—During the morning there was heard a rumor of the totalisators having been tampered with, but iti the afternoon the police were informed of great swindling in connection with these machines. It was reported to them that in the St. George’s Handicap four tickets had been taken and four members registered on the totalisator; that when tho four people who placed their money on Xing Quail came to the totalisaior for their money they found the numbers had been altered to 14, and Messrs Ilichard and Corbett offered them each onefourteenth instead of one-fourth of the nett proceeds. The two

gentlemen are accused of having put the total up to 107 to make the numbers tallj l -, but the speculators backed up by an indignant public, refused to accept the money, and there was a great row. The Stewards were called, and the police sent for. As Inspector Pardy was seen approaching, the totalisator proprietor offered to pay the four their fourth, and proper share, of the pool, which was £53. Thus, by the alteration to 14 from 4, it left the institution the nice sum of £36 over and above the commission they were entitled to. Inspector Pardy, Sergeant Mason, Detective Jeffrey, and others of the force came up at a double quick march and surrounded the totalisator. On entering' Mr Felton was found engaged inside fulfilling the duties of clerk, and ho, with Messrs Richards and Corbett, was at once arrested, togther with the instrument, tickets, stamps, and appendages necessary to the true and faithful distribution to the Auckland public of the tickets on the totalisator. There was also a bag of money seized, and amid great tumult they were incarcerated in the little lock-up. After the Selling Race another totalisator storm arose. Mr Adams was alleged to have added two to bis numbers and the police made another raid and took possession of the instrument and its manager, who was unassisted. This caused m fresh storm of indignation in the public mind, and Inspector Pardy gave orders for the men to he marched to the train in procession. The accused were brought up at the Police Court today and remanded.