A "HAZARDOUS" OCCUPATION.

Auckland Star, Volume LV, Issue 168, 17 July 1924, Page 7

A "HAZARDOUS" OCCUPATION.

GAMING HOUSE RAIDED. MANY PLAYEES SURPRISED. KEEPER FINED £100. PLAYERS TO PAY £5 FINE. " All sot, gentlemen, let 'cr go." This is a familiar term used during the progress of the exciting game known as hazards. However, the excitement of the fame was nothing compared to the interest that was manifested at a j boardinghouse known as " Marlborough House," Hobson Street, last night, when, on the tick of 9 o'clock, a raiding party of police paid an unwelcome visit to the " school." For some little time now the police have suspected Marlborosgu House as a gaming house. Accordingly, a posse in charge of Senior-Detective Hammond, and comprising Detectives Knight, Robertson, Moon, and Johnston, went along at tlie hour mentioned, and, approaching the premises quietly, they surprised the proprietor, John Bartlett Bakalich, standing in the doorway. He was hustled into an adjoining room and kept there, while the raiding party made an excursion to the two upper storeys of the house. On reaching the third floor the police could hear the chatter of men and the jingle of money. Everything had gone smoothly for the inquisitive police party, for they burst into the long gaming room and took the twenty-seven occupants by surprise. A good number of the men were seated round a baize covered table, the man manipulating the dice being the cynosure of all eyes. Somebody raised the cry of " Police," and then followed a blind rush for a safe means of exit, but the plans were well laid, and few got away. Nine men were later found in an adjoining room, and, refusing to unlock the door when the police demnnded entrance, the door had to be forced in. Then followed the rounding up, and a journey in motor cars to the Police Station. At the station, John B. Bakalich was charged before Mr. A. Williams, J.P., with being the keeper of a common gaming house, and the remainder with being found in a common gaming house. The proprietor and all his " clients" were bailed out, the first named in the sum of £100, and the others in the sum of £5 each. Several did not have sufficient money in their pockets, but the j proprietor came to light and saw that not a single one had to spend the night in the " cooler." 6 How Hazards is Played. Tlie game of hazards is played by any number of men, and the method is as follows: One of the players take 3 the two dice and sets what is called a "main," that is, he throws the dice from the box, and the total number showing as a result of the throw is the "main." It is then that the betting begins. Suppose the "main" happens to be a 9, the players then bet the thrower or bet amongst themselves, which is also known as betting on the "side," that the thrower will throw a 7 before he throws a 9. 'The odds are 0 to 4 against a 9. No other numbers count, and the thrower , continues to shake the box and throw the two dice until he succeeds in showing ' a 9 or a 7. As soon as he doeß one or the other, all bets are paid, and the thrower then sets another "main." This time it might be a 6. Then wagering begins afresh, the thrower being laid 5 to 4 he cannot set a 6 before he throws a 7. Again he throws until he shows either a 6 or 7, and then bets are decided. So long as a player continues to repeat the "main" he retains the box, but immediately he throws a 7 the box is passed to the player on his left. The odds in hazards have teen worked out mathematically, and are 5 to 4 for a 6 or S, 6 to 4 for a 5 or 9, and 2 to 1 for a 4 or 10. No other numbers count. At the Police Court. This morning when the men arrested appeared at the Police Court the building was packed, with scarcely room to turned round. They were, all lined up on the left side of the magistrate's bench, John Bartlett Bakalich being charged with keeping a common gaminghouse, . and the following to being found in a common gaming-house: John McGill (36), James McKie (23), Edmond Cooper (44), Nicholas Kulus (23), David Simon (28), Joseph Chadwick (60), James Wakem (41), Samuel Williams (44), Volento Trbuihovich (29), Arthur William Sullings (48), John Armstrong (48), George Parkes (47), Ewen Jacksdn (58), Zakarija Antonivich (38), William John Burman (32), Edgar Roberts (33), James Alley (34), Michael Tobin (49), George Michaelevich (32), Albert James Thomas (34), Alfred Morris (40), John Sullivan (50), Jack Despot (40), Richard Martinovich (32), Michael Grace (36), John Sharman (65), and John Wingate (36). The proprietor pleaded guilty, as did all the others, with the exception of Wingate, Despot, Martinovich, McGill, and McKie. The following did not appear: Cooper, Chadwick, Wakem, Williams, Jackson, Tobin, and Sharman. Senior Detective Hammond said that he executed a search warrant on Marlborough House last night. When the party under witness went into the gaming room they found a number of men at the table with notes and silver in ; front of them. He could not tell who ' was playing, and who were not taking part. Some of the men were boarders, 1 but they had no right in the gaming room. Cross-examined, witness said that he could no.t say whether Wingate was in the room or not. Despot was in the room looking on at the game. - Chief Detective Cummings said that the charges were laid under Section 3 of the Gaining Act. The proprietor was liable to a fine of £100, or three months' imprisonment, and those found in the room to a fine of £5. Bakalich, the keeper of the gaming house, was a man who was financially well off, and was doing well. Many of the men were professional gamblers, and there were five "hookies"' included among them. The house had been run for six months. Armstrong: I resent that remark, your Worship; I'm not a professional gambler. Bakalich: I wish I was well off, like Mr. Cummings has said. I have a little business, and I was approached by others and asked to run a "school," and i as it was profitable I started it. But that was only six weeks ago. It has not been running for six months, I swear that on my honour. Mr. Cummings: They take the hat round often, sir. (Laughter.) Tn reply to questions, Detective Hammond said that McGill was in the gam--3 ing room with the others. He did not offer _uc lawful excuse _>r Joeing there.

McGill said that he _£ad never gambled in his life. He only went through the room to a lavatory to get a drink. Mr. Poynton: Well, you knew that it 1 was being used as a gambling room; you knew it was not a prayer meeting, anyway. j McKie then stated that he was only watching the game, but the magistrate told him that even that brought him within the scope of the section. McKie: I'm a painter, and I have lived there for eleven months. ' Detective Hammond said that Martinovitch was one of the number who were locked in the room 9ft by Oft. That room was just off the gaming ' room. Wingate was also in the room, '. but stated that it was his own room. _ Mr. Poynton said that there seemed to be a difference ■with Wingate, but he . was technically guilty. However, as be < and Martinovitcli were not found in the . gaming room, they would each be convicted and discharged. McKie, who _ explained that he was washing his shirt i at the time, and was not playing, ; escaped with a conviction and a fine of , £2. McGill and Despot and all the , others were each convicted and fined ( £5. , The keeper. Bakalich, was convicted and fined £100. _