BOOKMAKER FINED £75

Waikato Times, Volume 125, Issue 20909, 14 September 1939, Page 11

BOOKMAKER FINED £75

HAD ENLISTED FOR SERVICE PETROL RESTRICTION PLEADED (Special to Times.) PALMERSTON N., Wednesday A man who had already enlisted for military service was fined £75 and costs in the Pahiatua Magistrate’s Court on a charge of bookmaking, the magistrate, Mr H. P. Lawry, remarking that accused was carrying on a large business, and he wondered whether the Court should not employ its discretion and impose a prison sentence. Accused was Joseph Henry David, restaurant proprietor, whose business was raided by the police on September 2. Detective-Sergeant A. B. Meiklejohn said that gaming material was found, while David had £39 in his pocket, and there was £2 10s in the till. Bets to a total of £79 had been taken at the time of the raid. For the Taranaki Hunt meeting £365 was recorded. It was admitted by counsel for accused, Mr S. K. Siddells, that David had been fined £25 eight months ago as a first offender. After all, he was an agent for some other principal, receiving is 6d in the £1 commission. Counsel also submitted that the petrol restrictions had affected accused's legitimate business as a restaurant proprietor, and it would also affect the cleaning up of his betting business, because he could not call on his country clients, who in turn could not call on David. Accused had already enlisted for active service. On application for time to pay David was ordered to pay £3B 10s forthwith.