RAIDED TWO-UP PLAYERS.

Shannon News, 19 December 1922, Page 3

RAIDED TWO-UP PLAYERS.

TWENTY-EIGHT £5 FINES.

Tlie .sequel to the police raid on a recent Sunday gathering on the Shan-non-Foxtail Hoad was enacted at the Palmerston S.M. Court yesterday, when 26 persons were charged with illegally playing two-up.

line names ol the accused were:— Hohert Buckman, James Caldwell, John Sydney Shaw, William Edward Alio way, Lionel Ulric Buckman, Marlin James Curran, Harry Murdoch, Owen Hannifan, Marius Christensen, John Allan McEachen, Alick Bun*, Chong Pok, Henry Charles Young, Frederick Buckman, Stew T art Miller, Richard Sands, Thomas King, William Pickard, Norman P. Gill, Alfred Codlin, Eugene Coakley, John King, Alfred Edward Tremewan, Patrick Cadagon, James McDonald, Thomas King, Harold Stanley Burrows «nd John Miller.

Each defendant pleaded not guilty

Constable McGregor, of Shannon, Said that, on the day in question he was in company with Constable Shannon on the old Shannon-Foxton Road, about half a mile from the town. Witness was concealed. He noticed a crowd of about 70 men who (had assembled. Witness saw coins being tossed and there was obviously some interest in the proceedings as witness could hear the participants calling out for bets. Such phrases as “dollar heads” and “half a dollar wanted here,” etc., were quite audible. Witness was only about 76 yards from the gathering and could see who were playing. Witness mentioned the names of the participants he had seen taking an active part in the process of “spinning them” and passing money. At 5.30 witness and his colleague made their presence known, but the crowd scattered..

To Mr Ongley: The road in question was not extensively used, but people often used it to go down to the willows. Witness said that from where he was concealed with Constable Shannon he had a full view of the ring and io make doubly sure he had a pair of powerful field glasses. He had his note-book with him and made the entries on that day. Corroborative evidence was given by Constable Shannon. Norman Dalziell, a 16-year-old boy living in the vicinity, said he remembered the incident and was there for a while himself. The crowd were playing two-up. He went there because he saw a crowd. He knew most of the residents, but it was a long time since the event. Detective-Sergeant Quirke: It is only a month ago.—l can’t quite remember. James Caldwell, a flaxcutter, said he Went down to the crowd at 3.30 on Sunday and remained there for one and three-quarter hours. "I did not have a bet or a spin on that particular day,” said the witness. Mr Quirke: What did you go- down there for?—l just went down the road for a. little open-air treatment for myself. Well, what did you do there?—l might go fishing. You might go anywhere to fish or to commit suicide. . . . Tell me what you were doing on that day.—l did not bet. Why did you think the police would want to bring this charge against yon without grounds?—The police have their case and are going on suspicion.

Defendant Cadagon also- gave evidence, during the course of which he admitted having “one bet.” Shaw denied that he (had had a bet. The Magistrate said that the police had acted carefully in the matter and had not charged a man where there was an element of suspicion as to his identity. His Worship reviewed the evidence of Shaw and Cardwell, to the effect that at all events they were present at the gathering. He did not think it would be fair to the others if he was to make any distinction. Each defendant was fined £5 and costs. On the application of Mr Ongley they were given until January 31 to pay the fine.