CAUGHT IN RAID

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 899, 17 February 1930, Page 1

CAUGHT IN RAID

BOOKMAKER’S CLERK FINED £5

PRINCIPALS ABSENT When the premises of a bookmaker in the Imperial Buildings in Queen Street were raided on Saturday, Hiram Arthur Leach was the only person found on the premises. Admitting that he was clerk to the bookmakers whose business it was, he was fined £5 at the Police Court this morning. Leach, a bookmaker, aged 27, according to the charge sheet, pleaded guilty through Mr. Dromgool to using premises in the Imperial Buildings, Queen Street, as a common gaming house. He had appeared before justices after his arrest and had been bailed in the sum of £25. Mr. Dromgool said Leach had been out of -work for two years, and a position as cilerk for bookmakers was all he could find. He was paid £3 a week. When the office was raided cm Saturday Leach had been the only man on the premises, his principals being absent in Wanganui. Counsel added that Leach’s mother was a widow, and accused had contributed largely to her support. When he became unemployed she had had to take in sewing, and her home was broken up when she took a position as housekeeper in the King Country. Since working with his present employers Leach had paid his debts. “He doesn’t want to continue working for these men if he can find another position,’’ added counsel. Mr. Dromgool suggested a remand of a week for sentence, pending the return of Leach’s principals, when It could be ascertained if they intended paying his fine.

“Leach is clerk for a man named Jack Leen,’’ remarked Chief-Detective Hammond. “When the raid was made he accepted full responsibility.” Imposing the fine of £5, Mr. F. K. Hunt, S.M., remarked that, had the bookmaker himself been caught, he would have fined him £IOO. Default of the fine was fixed at a month’s imprisonment, and accused was given 24 hours in which to find the money.