The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1885-06-20 00:00:00

THE ALLEGED GAMBLING CLUB.

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At the Marlborough-street Police-court, London,
on Saturday, Frederick Marks, steward of the Italian
Colony Club, 84, Charlotte-street, Fitzroy-square
Harry Gedda, the manager; and Alfred Minghettg_
the hall porter, were again charged on remand with
having used the said club as a common gambling-
house. Three of the defendants—Michellini, the
secretary of the club, Regus, and Fleishman, did not
surrender to their recognisances. Some further
evidence having been given, Mr. Wontner submitted
that there was no proof before the Court that the
club was a common gambling-house; that in order to
convict for a keeping a common gaming house it most
be shown that the establishment was kept for gain,
living, or lucre: that unlawful gaming implied for-
bidden gaming, and that no proof had been given that
this club was used for such purposes. Mr. Newton
said that, as he had mentioned a few days ago,
he was of opinion that the section of the Act
of Parliament of Victoria was not to be read
altogether in connection with the Act of Henry VIII.
Mr. Montagu Williams contended that the magis-
trate was bound by the decision of Mr. Justice
Hawkins in the case of Jenks. Superintendent
Thompson, E division, in reply to Mr. Newton, said
the defendant Marks came under his notice about
eighteen months ago, at the St. Andrew's Club,
Holborn-circus, where gambling was carried on. He
abandoned that, and went to the Stanley Club in
Holborn, and was cautioned by the police about per-
mitting baccarat. That club was closed in a few
months, and he then went to a house in Gower-street,
where gaining and drinking took place, people often
remaining there the whole night. On one occasion
180 men were seen there in one night. From Gower-
street Marks went to the Italian Colony Club. Mr.
Newton said he had been informed that the case was
the first of the kind that had come under the Bth and
oth of Victoria before a police-court of the metro-
polis. He was asked whether the house in Charlotte-
street was a common gaming-house, and whether an
unlawful game was allowed to be played there. With
regard to the first point, he thought it was used as a
common gaming house. There were balls, a table,
and implements of gambling in the club; and, further-
more, there was the obstruction on the part of Ming-
hetta, the hall porter, to the police. Then came the
second question, as to whether he was of opinion that
baccarat was an unlawful game to play in any common
gaming-house, and he thought the defendants were
guilty of the offence alleged against them. He was
of opinion that Marks and Gedda used this house as
a common gaming-house, and he ordered Marks to
pay a fine of £75, and Gedda to pay £5O. With
respect to Minghetta, he appeared to have merely been
a servant, but in consequence of his obstructing the
police he was liable to a penalty of £lOO. He would
have to pay a fine of £2O. Mr. Wontner asked the
magistrate to grant a case. Mr. Newton expressed
his willingness to do so. After some conversation the
defendants were liberated on their own recognisances,
on the understanding that they are to appear next
Wednesday, and
inflicted)
sureties (in double die amount
of the penalties to prosecute the appeal. A
warrant was ordered to be issued for the apprehension
of Michelltm, one of the defendants who did not sur-
render.

• Tuesday was the anniversary of two meraora'ol
British battles, viz.. Dcttingen, which was fought o
June_
_l6, 1743,-antl Quatro Bras, fought on

411' E',sl

SATURDAY, JUNE 20, 1885,