ALLEGED “TWO-UP” SCHOOL.

Shannon News, 14 June 1921, Page 2

ALLEGED “TWO-UP” SCHOOL.

SHANNON RESIDENTS CHARGED.

Eleven residents of the Shannon district were charged in the Palmerston Magistrate’s Court before Mr J. L. Stout., S.M., yesterday, with taking part in a game of two-up in the yard of the Albion Hotel on the afternoon of Saturday, March 26, within view of a public place, in contravention of the Gaming Act, 1908. Those charged were H. Hyland, H. G. Perkins, E. H. Ashton, J. Feetham, A. Hunt, E. G. Coakley, A. E. Trevewau, W. E. Alloway, A. Blair, A. Ropoama and W. H. Maitland. Mr Cooper appeared for all the defendants, who pleaded not guilty. Only four of them, however, put in an appearance at Court. Constable McGregor, stationed at Shannon, deposed that he watched a game of two-up in progress in the yard of the Albion Hotel, Shannon, on the Saturday afternoon ■'mentioned for about'ten‘minutes. During that time of the defendants, Ropoama, Blair and Allow ay had the kip, and Ashton was acting as ringkeeper. Money was passed between all the men, and all were apparently taking an -active uart in the game. When witness was coming on the scene, Perkins saw him. and all fled. Witness arrested Hyland, the only one of the party he did not know by who remarked; “You’ve caught me right in the act. I am well caught. I will pay the fine whatever it is, but don’t make it too hot. If you let the thing drop

' will never play again, never.” Then Tronmvan picked up a couple of flo* rins which had been left lying on the ground in general retreat. Witness asked to whom the money belonged, and Tremewan replied: “I don’t know, so I might as well have it.” When accused of playing, the same defendant replied: “I suppose we were makuig it a bit, hot playing there.” When the summonses were issued some of die defendants commented that it was a fair catch, and that they did not blame the witness. The yard in which the men were playing was.in view of Plimmer Terrace. There was a sixfeet board fence, over which passersby in a vehicle could see into the yard or a view could be obtained by anyone looking through the interstices between the hoards. Witness had seen other schools playing in the same place from the street.

Mr Cooper admitted the facts, but contended that the yard of the hotel was not a public place nor in view Of persons in a public place No evidence had been produced to prove that people had seen the game in progress from a public place. Detective-Sergeant Quirke, who prosecuted, submitted that the hotel yard was a public place under the meaning of the Act, and quoted authorities in support of his contention. The Magistrate reserved hj.s decision>:o go into this point.J-Stalidara.