"LADY BOOKMAKER."

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LII, Issue 38, 10 March 1909, Page 4

"LADY BOOKMAKER."

EXTRAORDINARY DISCLOSURES. Giving judgment iu an action at Naas quarter sessions, in which a domestic servant named Kate Maguirc, residing at Newbridge, sued Mrs Brigid Wallace, described as a "lady bookmaker," also 'of Newbridge, for alleged slander and 'defamation of character, County Oourt Judge Bi'crto.u Barry expressed some views on the question of gambling. The plaintiff's sister, who is also in the same service as plaintff, said ill the mouth of October last she sent a younger sister to draw money which she hail won oil horses she had backed. Defendant, it was said, paid a shilling short, and the girl sent her sister back again fur the balance, which defendant paid her. Jt was a. shilling which was put on a non-starter. At this time tile plaintiff was not at Newbridge, but away at the seaside with her mistress's children, and it was alleged that on the second occasion the messenger went for tho money the defendant made certain charges against the moral character of the plaintiff'. The defence was that ihe words were never used, and that Hie story was an invention, and that no reflection was made oa plaintiff's character.

A remarkable feature of the ease was that a number of young girls, who were examined for the defence, admitted being in the defendant's house when the alleged slanderous words were used, for the purpose of backing horses. His Honor, in giving judgment, said: "This ease is certainly one of some interest. It discloses to what an appalling extent this vice of gambling has spread amongst the people, it is not my duty to moralise or preach, but only to refer to it as far as it is' material to the case. We know this vice of gambling is spreading very much through Ibis country of late, ami ally amongst women—women of every class. _ The tipper ckssc.s have fallen into this voce, fostered by the introduction of the card game called "bridge," the infatuation for which has become a vice and moral pest. It lias found its way, as disclosed in this case, and has gone so far that Ave find in the town of Newbridge a 'lady-bookmaker,' starting business for the purpose of enabling parlormaids, cooks, and domestic servants to fritter away their wages in the gratification of this abominable mania.'' Concluding, His Honor said this case arose out of a betting transaction, and it was a charge these girls should never have subjected themselves to if they had, like decent respectable girls, remained at home and put their wages to some legitimate purpose. If they went and put themselves in the hands and power of female bookmakers, and other disreputable persons, they must remember they could not touch pitch without being defiled. If they got a bit of abuse or slander from those persons l hey deserved it to a certain extent. Hut it -was right that the girl's character should be vindicated. He gave a decree for £1 ) with 15s expenses.