DAGGER DRAWN.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIII, Issue 240, 10 October 1932, Page 7

DAGGER DRAWN.

GAMBLERS ROBBED.

FAN-TAN "BANK" LOSES £31. CHINESE INTIMIDATED. MONEY SNATCHED FROM TABLE. A sensational hold-up of a fan-tan bank in a Chinese gambling school in the city occurred last night, when a countryman of the players grabbed £31 12/ from a table, drew a dagger, and backed out through a doorway to make off with the money. He told the others what he wanted the, money for.

Between 20 and 30 Chinese were either seated, at or round a table playing fantail. The game is played with beans which are taken from a bowl with a scoop and emptied upon the table. From the heap on the table four beans are taken at a time until there are four or less beans remaining,' and these decide all bets. A player must be "on" cither one, two, three, or four beans left.

Last night the "bank" started off with about £50 and play had been going some time, with luck against the bank. At' 8.35 p.m. there was on the board alongside the banker the sum of £31 12/. At his right was the "clerk" who was keeping the book and looking after tho interests of the shareholders of the bank.

Among those looking on was a Chinese who through circumstances partly beyond his control was required to And a considerable sum of money within a specific time. While the croupier was raking away the beans from the heap this spectator suddenly leaned over and grabbed' the money. At once there was an excited jabbering among the players, and all jumped to their feet; but the thief drew a dagger, which had the effect of causing any, who felt like tackling him to hesitate. With the dagger in one hand and the £31 12/ in the other, he backed through the doorway and disappeared outside. Another man, who was standing outside the door of the den, also disappeared. Some of the Chinamen suggested reporting the hold-up to the police, but the majority decided not to take the matter outside their own circle. '

This is the second occasion that a bank has been held up in a Chinese gambling school. Some years ago a thief snatched over £80, and got away with it. 1 . ■ , .