The Sun.
London, England, 1861-09-30 00:00:00

SEIZURE OF BETTING STANDS ON
THE MANCHESTER RACECOURSE.

The police authorities at Salford have taken a
step which is likely to result in ascertaining the
legality or otherwise of some recent attempts to
push the business of persons known as "list men"
on racecourses. On Saturday six men, who had
been apprehended the day previous at the Manches-
ter races, were brought before Mr. Trafford, at the
Salford police-court, charged with offences under
the Betting-house Act. The names given by the
accused were—Joseph Lyons, 4, Great Clowes-street,
traveller; Hyman Lyons, Beverley, Yorkshire,
traveller ; Thos. Buckley, Booth-street, Manchester,
traveller; Walter Gregory, Nottingham, traveller ;
Francis Lees, Nottingham, lace maker; and Henry
Lynch, Blossom-street, Manchester, shoemaker.
The prosecution was conducted by Mr. Brett, the
town clerk of Salford, under the Act 16th and 17th
Vic., C. 119, which makes liable the owner or occu-
pier of any house, office, room, or place, opened,
kept, or used for the purposes of betting ; or who
shall receive, directly or indirectly, any money, &C.,
as a deposit on any bet on conlition of paying, &e.,
upon any race.

Mr. Ernest Jones, barrister, appeared for the
defence.

From the evidence of Mr. Taylor, the chief
constable of Salford, and two detective officers of
the borough, name Hollinrake and Hargraves,
it appeared that the six men were taken into
custody on Friday afternoon, after the third
race on the Manchester course. The two named.
Lyons, who are brothers, had paid £5 each
to the keeper of a refreshment-booth, named Jack-
son, for leave to carry on their transactions at a
window of the booth, the men standing inside.
Buckley, Gregory, and Lees had a slight wooden
framework or box on the course, within which one
man could stand on a little elevation, to receive
money, while a book-keeper and ticket man could be
concealed behind some carpet or drapery attached
to the framework. Lynch and another man who
had escaped capture had a standing of similar con-
struction; and there was a considerable number of
others at different points of the course. The stand-
ings, one of which was produced in court, were made
so as to be set up or taken down readily, by means
of a few iron pins, and would pack in a small com-
pass. The mode of doing business was to exhibit
a list of horses before each race, and to call out the
odds, any money offered being received, and the
bets entered in a book opposite a number which
corresponded to that of a ticket issued to the person
with whom the odds are laid. Mr. Taylor had pre-
viously cautioned the men now charged, and as
many others as possible, that the system would not
be allowed, and that a fine not exceeding £lOO
might be the penalty. The capture and seizures
were made by Mr. Taylor and about a dozen of his
officers, who took the men to the Salford Town-
hall, where they were liberated on bail until Satur-
day. One of the lists of the third race was found
torn up and thrust beneath the counter of one of
the stands ; and a list of the fourth race, which was
being exhibited at the time the apprehension took
place, was snatched down and destroyed by one of
the prisoners. _

Mr. Ernest Jones endeavoured to show that the
" places" at which the men were engaged were not
such as to come within the meaning of the act re-
ferred to, and that there was not sufficient proof
given that the money which the officers saw pass-
ing was laid on bets.

Mr. Trafford said there was no doubt in his mind
as to the points raised by Mr. Jones, but he con-
sidered it a very proper case to go before a superior
court, and he would inflict the lowest penalty—
£2s or six weeks' imprisonment—giving the men
the right of appeal. Lynch was discharged, the
evidence against him being defective.
Notice of appeal was then given ; and Mr.
asked what would be the amount of recognisances P
Mr. Trafford—Oh, that's of no fonsequence to
your clients. (A laugh.)
When they were taken into custody on Friday,
the men had nearly £250 in their possession ; Lees
having £lO7 and Gregory £65.