NEW BETTING METHOD

Wairarapa Times-Age, 31 May 1939, Page 9

NEW BETTING METHOD

INTRODUCED INTO AUCKLAND. BY AUSTRALIAN CRIMINALS. (By Telegraph—Press Awsoclqtipn.) AUCKLAND, May 30. A now method of betting, which was said to be gaining popularity among women and children in Auckland, wi?.s referred to in the Magistrate's Court during the prosecution of a man charged with bookmaking last Saturday. Accused was Jack Thompson, hairdresser, who admitted the charge, but denied knowledge of the system referred to. Mr C. R. Orr Walker, S.M., presided. Detective-Sergeant McHugh prosecuted and accused was represented by Mr Hart. ‘Detective-Sergeant McHugh said accused was seen by two detectives acting in a suspicious manner at the Auckland Trotting Club’s winter meeting. When accosted, accused frankly admitted carrying on as a bookmaker. Records of 30 bets, amounting to £7 2s 6d, were found in his possession. Accused also had double charts, showing odds at 50 to 1 on forthcoming races.

In his possession there was also material for the latest method of betting, introduced to Auckland, Detec-tive-Sergeant McHugh added. The system involved picking four placed horses in four races and was gradually getting into homes and among women and children. Mr Hart interposed that his client denied possession of this material. Detective-Sergeant McHugh added that the material represented a form of betting that had been introduced to New Zealand by four Australian criminals. The magistrate said there might be something in accused’s story that the printed material was picked.up. He would be treated as a first offender and fined £2O.