CAUGHT IN THE ACT.

Auckland Star, Volume LIV, Issue 131, 4 June 1923, Page 6

CAUGHT IN THE ACT.

PLAYING ILLEGAL GAMES 37 OHIXJSSE ARRESTED. IX LORXE STREET HOUSE.

It is eleven months .since the Auckland police made a raid on Chinese premises in Street, with the result i that a number of Orientals were proseicuted for being in a common gaming I house; the polire made another raid I last night, the house visited being situated in borne Street. About la detectives and constables in plain clothes quietly surrounded No. 5", Lome Street, at 8.30 o'clock. SeniorDeteotive Cummings had charge of the raiding party, and everything was carried out as planned, without any hitch. Detective Meiklejohn and Constable Doel had been keeping the premises under close observation for some time, and just prior to the raid it was known that a large number of Chinese had assembled in the house on the corner of Rutland and Lome Streets. A trap-door in the gates of the main entrance was forced, and Senior Detective Cummings led his men to the kitchen entrance, on the ground floor. Possible avenues of escape were left under the charge of alert constables, and the kitchen door was thrown open, to surprise three domesticated Chinamen, who were too preoccupied with pot and pan to hear the officers make their entry into the yard. Without more ado the cooks were placed under a guard, and •Senior Detective Oumminfrs was folr lowed by the remainder of the party up a narrow, evil-smelling stairway. Arrived at the top. they burst into a large room, where 34 Chinese were scattered about in little groups, and they appeared to have been surprised in the act of playing Oriental gambling games. I The majority of the Celestials, realising that they were trapped, took the advent of the police philosophically. One man became, excited, however, and with a yell of terror he ran to a window, 'escaped the clutching hand of a detective who sought to detain him, and in a flash had disappeared. He landed with a thud, about 14ft below, and ricked hi s ankle. Looking round, he was a very rnirprised Chinaman to find a tall constable standing over him—his jump had been for nothing. Another Chinaman also conceived the idea of escape, per medium of the window, but the detectives were too quick for him, anl he was spared the trouble. The detectives set about collecting the paraphernalia which lay about the room, on blankets. A large quantity of quaint Oriental material was packed up by the raiding party, haing gow equipment, ma chuck oards, fan-tan cups and beans, and all the necessary plant for running a pakapoo "hank" were seized, in addition to ordinary playing cards of good quality, and a small sum of money, both European and Chinese. On being marched off to the Police Station, the Celestials were taken before Mr. E. J. Twohill, 37 in all. and one. Chow Cow, was charged with being the I keeper of a common gaming house, and the remaining 30 with being found on the premises. There was no shortage of cash when it came to the matter of finding bail, and the whole party was released on ! remand till Thursday next, when they will appear at the Police Court.