NAPIER NEWS.

Waipawa Mail, Volume XXI, Issue 3896, 11 May 1899, Page 3

NAPIER NEWS.

(Own Correspondent.) Yesterday. A oaie of considerable interest to racecourse frequenters waa heard at the Magistrate*’ Court yesterday It appeared that at the last H. B. Jockey Club races a party made up, by half crown contributions, a ticket on First Blood, which paid £2l- The purchasing of tho ticket was entraated to one of tho number, Edward Coghlan, but after the race, when the others sought for their shares, be sail he hed thrown the ticket away. The disappointed ones now seek to recover legally. Yesterday counsel for the plaintiff (.Mr Lusk) and the defendant (Mr Cresswell) oonfined themselves to argument on this question, as to whethor it was a gaming transaction under the Gaming an t Lotteries Act. Mr Turnbull r-served bis decision ; if he holds that the transaction was lega’, and does not oomo under the Gaming and Lotteries Aot, then evidenoe will be beard ns to whether Coghlan threw away the tl ket as stated, or whether it was handed in on hie behalf. The first of th T s year’s wint* r concerts at the Working Men’s Club was held to night, the social hill being crowded. A varied and entertaining programme wu submitted, and greatly enjoyed. A oo'leotiou in aid of the scenery fund was well responded to. A youth named Leonard Alphonso Butterworth, arrested at Kuripapango on a charge of stealing a saddle and bridle, was before Mr Turnbull, S.M , this morn ing. On the recommendation of Mr Severne the lad was liberated on his own recognisance to come up for sentence when called upon. In all probability the Harbor Board will fill the vacant position of secretaryship by a re-arrangement of their present clerical staff, and the engagement of another junior. They evidently consider that a man with engineering experience is not now necessary. At snyrate this new departure will give the several amateur civil engineers who ocoopy seats on the Board a fine opportunity for the display of their talents.