THE GAMING ACT.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIII, Issue 250, 1 March 1911, Page 2

THE GAMING ACT.

THE USUAL "COACH AND FOUR." By Telegraph.—Preis Association. Wanganui, Tuesday. Mr. Kerr. S.M., delivered judgment this morning in the case in which Farrell was charged with having kept a betting-house in certain stables. Police evidence showed that defendant was known to the police by repute as a bookmaker, and on several occasions when races were being run in different parts of the Dominion defendant and a number of men entered a room in the stables used as an office and bedroom. On the afternoon of February 22, defendant was arrested in the office when he was writing in a small book, which the Magistrate said he was satisfied contained bets made by defendant on toalisator odds with persons whose real names were concealed under, pseudonyms. Mr. Hutchinson, for the defence, raised the point that defendant was not affected by the sections of the Act under which the information was laid, and that there was no evidence that Farrell had the use of the office, and only that people came and went and that the premises were used as a livery stable. Counsel held it would have to be proved that defendant was a sort of tenant of the owner of the property. The Magistrate upheld the contention, and said that there was no evidence that the owner or occupier of the stable had knowledge of what defendant was doing or that he permitted defendant to use the office or bedroom for the purpose of betting, and dismissed the case.