Magistrate to visit proposed site of racing pool

Chief Magistrate Sherman Mc Nicolls has opted to visit the site of a proposed gambling establishment at the corner of Pembroke and Duke Streets in Port-of-Spain before ruling on a legal matter brought forward by a Baptist church which has strongly opposed the construction of a racing pool near the church’s premises. The Chief Magistrate and other attorneys involved in the matter will visit Fair Chance Ltd’s Racing Pool on Friday morning at 8:45 am. The St John’s London Baptist Church, which is located next to the proposed gambling establishment, has objected to the construction of the gambling outlet, citing several reasons for their opposition. Reasons include the disturbance of the church’s scheduled services and the fact that the church believes gambling is a sin.

Attorney Seenath Jairam SC, who is seeking the interest of the church, called the final witness yesterday, after which he began his legal submissions. Jairam submitted that the owner of Fair Chance Ltd, Kearne Govia, who is seeking to construct the racing pool, made it quite clear in his testimony that he intends to occupy more space in the building than he was given permission to. “We submit that Mr Govia’s application is with respect to the building, but the approval he has obtained from Town and Country is only with respect to the ground floor of that building,” said the church’s attorney.

Senior Counsel Jairam also called on Mc Nicolls, who is also a licensing authority, not to take too seriously, the fact that Govia, the racing pool owner, has already spent a great sum of money on the business which is presently under construction. “You may have asked yourself, well is it fair and just that I should refuse these applications having regard to the fact that Mr Govia has already expended some money in getting the proposed establishment ready?  The authority should have no sympathy for that course of conduct. When you are a businessman, and you are going to set up this type of business, speak to the Pastor before you spend your money,” argued  Jairam. Govia’s attorney Deborah Peake will address the Chief Magistrate when hearing resumes on Friday after the site visit.