BOOKIE’S UNLUCKY BET

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 100, 19 July 1927, Page 13

BOOKIE’S UNLUCKY BET

FINED MAXIMUM ON TWO CHARGES CENSURED FOR UNTRUTHFUL EVIDENCE JOSEPH GEORGE REES, aged 52, charged at the Police Court this morning with betting at totalisator odds, was a resourceful witness, but his evidence was condemned byMr. W. R. McKean, S.M., who hinted that untruthful witnesses deserved little consideration.

X>EES, who was represented by Mr. - L * Hall Skelton, pleaded not guilty to four charges. Constable Belton said that acting on instructions he stayed at the Criterion Hotel for several days. He mentioned in the hotel bar one day that he would like a bet, so a man introduced him to accused.

On July 12 he had two bets for the Wellington races, one of the horses winning. At the time he made this bet Rees said he had been at the game 15 years and he would have given witness a card sooner, but he always had to be careful who he was talking to.

Witness’s first bet won, and a day or so later he was paid the otalisator dividend of £1 9s. A POLICE TRAP?

Mr. Hall Skelton: You know this was a police trap? “I was only there to detect bookmakers,” replied the witness. “Why are you twisting all over the place?” asked counsel. Chief-Detective Cummings: I object, to that sort of thing.

Detective-Sergeant O’Brien said that he arrested accused, who on being searched said they had nothing on him. Rees had £ 23-odd in his possession, and in an overcoat in the hotel passage were some race-cards and a bookmaker's settling book, in which bets were recorded, and the starting times of the Trentham races set down. Many of the amounts recorded corresponded with the Trentham dividends. “Rees bears an excellent character,” said the detective, “and he often assists charitable causes.” ONLY A STATIONER

The accused, in evidence, said that he carried on a stationery and fancy gods business at Parnell. This business necessitated much travelling around, as he had over 300 customers to deliver THE SUN, “Sporting and Dramatic,” ‘Truth” and “Aussie” to. He denied having made bets with Constable Belton. A £4OO FINE REES CROSS-EXAMINED The entries in the note-books were records of loans he had made to different people. One of them was a policeman. Chief-Detective Cummings: What were you fined, the last time you were charged with bookmaking? “Four hundred pounds,” replied witness.

“You were in the bar of the Criterion Hotel on July 12 and July 14?’ : “Yes,” replied Rees.

‘‘As a matter of fact you’re there on all race days,” said Mr. Cummings. “No.” “Can you mention any when you are not there?”

“Yes," said Rees, “when I’m looking at the trots over the fence.” “On the last occasion you were before the court you then denied making bets?” asked Mr. Cummings. “I don’t remember,” was Rees’s answer. THE CONSTABLE’S LOAN “Now, you say you lent .-£5 to a cons’ able—what is his name?” Witness would not answer and ap peaied to his counsel for guidance. Mr. Hall Skelton: “Go on, tell him. We've done everything we can to save the police from the stigma.” Witness then wrote a name on a slip of paper. “Where is he stationed now?” asked Mr. Cummings. “I don’t know,” replied witness. When asked about the starting times written down in his book, witness replied that they were the numbers of cigarette cards he was saving for his friends. EVIDENCE NOT BELIEVED The magistrate said it was to be regretted that Rees gave the evidence he did. “I don’t believe it,” said Mr. McKean, “and I might have given him some consideration if he hadn’t told the untruths he has told. He will get the maximum penalty, and I’m not sure that he should not go to prison.” On each of two charges Rees was fined £2O, the maximum fine for the offence. Judgment on the other two charges was reserved until tomorrow.