RELIEF WORKERS CHARGED.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LII, Issue 51, 30 January 1932, Page 3

RELIEF WORKERS CHARGED.

CASES AT WELLINGTON. Per Press Association. WELLINGTON, Jan. 29. Complaints made to the police by the wives of certain relief workers resulting in Constables Baker and Asnson visiting the Russell Terrace relief works during the lunch hour on December 22 and the subsequent appearance of 23 men at the Police Court to-day on charges of playing “two-up.’ Sub-Inspector Lopdell told Mr Page, S.M., that the police had received complaints from wives of relief workers tliat they wore unable to get the little money that their husbands earned ns they had lost it at “two-up.” Members of the police force went to Russell Terrace, where they found, tho men now charged sitting about in a shelter shed. When Constable Baker reached, the door he saw two pennies in the air and heard one man say “two to one on heads.” Seven men admitted that they were playing “two-up.” Tltq remainder were looking on. Constable Baker said that after the names and addresses of all the men had been taken, he asked them if they wished to say whether or not they were taking part in the' game. Their answers were marked against their names on the list. The constable said lie hod done this as he was of the opinion that some of the men, whom Ije knew personally, were not gamblers. For the defence it was submitted that the building in which the men were alleged to have played was not a public place within the meaning of the Act and also contended that there was no evidence that “two-up” had been played. The Magistrate accepted one man s plea that he misunderstood the constable’s query, and dismissed the case. Six who had admitted playing were convicted and ordered, to pay costs. The other 16 were dismissed as there was no evidence that they were playing. The Magistrate held that the building was j a public 1