GUILTY OF “TWO UP.”

Shannon News, 21 June 1921, Page 3

GUILTY OF “TWO UP.”

At the Palmerston North Magistrate’s Court yesterday, Mr .1. L. Stout, S.M., delivered reserved judgment in connection with the action brought against eleven residents of Shannon and district,! who were alleged to have been playing “tAVO-up” in the yard oi the Albion I-lotel, Shannon. Judgment had been reserved on a legal point, as to whether the hotel yard Avas a public place. The evi- 1 dence, said his Worship, showed beyond doubt that the defendants Avere playing “two-up,” tlie only .question being Avliether the game bad been played in a public place, and in vieAV of persons in a public place. He had decided to amend the information to read “gaming in a‘public place,” instead of “playing AVitlim view of persons in a public place.” There Avas no evidence to show that persons could have sceu the game, other than that it was taking place in a publi'e place. The hotel yard, he considered, Avas a public place within the meaning oi the Act. He considered it Avould be well to warn licensees of hotels that, if they connive at the playing of an unlawful game on their premises they lay themselves open to prosecution under section lOi of the Licensing Act, "1908. lie found all the defendants guilty. Mr H. B. Cooper, avlio appeared for the defendants, asked that the penalty be flxeit in respect to only one of the defendants, so as to alloAv him time to consider the question of appealing. His Worship agreed, and accordingly convicted and fined the defendant, Harry kyland, £5 is and costs. Security for appeal Avas fixed.