GAMING RAIDS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIV, Issue 1, 3 January 1933, Page 13

GAMING RAIDS.

BUSY DETECTIVES.

ONE TAKES WINNING 'DOUBLE' MAXIMUM FINES IMFOSEJ>. Over the Christmas and New Year holiday race meetings in Auckland, the police have been busy in seeking out bookmakers, and almost every day for the last week Detectives Brady and Moore have raided one of the " pencillers." ' On Saturday morning, Thomas Curran, aged 55, tobacconist, appeared before Mr. W. E. McKean, S.M., in the Police Court, when he pleaded _ guilty to a, charge of keeping premises at 115, Hobson Street, as a common gaming house on December 30.

Detective-Sergeant Kelly said that as the result of a plain-clothes constable making bets with Cm-ran, Detectives Moore and Brady raided tho premises on Friday, and seized a large quantity of ■ betting material and also £21 in notes and £10 10/ in cash, the proceeds of betting. It was evident that Curran was in an extensive way of business. He- had twice been lined £100 and once £75 for similar offences. Curran was fined £100, the magistrate telling him that it was fortunate for him that ho was only charged with keeping a common gaming house. Joseph Dempster Cox, aged 25, electrician, who admitted that he had taken some bets on behalf of Curran, was fined £3 on a charge of being found without lawful excuse in a common gaming house. A similar charge against Henry Austin Bainbridge, aged 2(5, for whom Mr. Allan Moody appeared, was dismissed. Private House Raided. • Another raid was carried out yesterday by tho same two detectives, and subsequently Thomas William Leecc, aged 04, agent, and David Henry Kiric, 64, clerk, appeared before the magistrate, Lcece being charged with using premises at Onslow Road as a commongaming house and Kirk with assisting in the keeping of a common gaming house. Accused, for whom Mr. K. C. Ackins appeared, both pleaded guilty.

. Detective-Sergeant Kelly eaid that when the detectives knocked at the door they were greeted by Kirk, who said that Lecce was out but would return shortly. They found a room fitted up as an office, with a telephone. Much betting material was seized. Leece arrived later and frankly admitted that the business was his and that Kirk was his clerk and received £5 per week. The house was Kirk's and the telephone was listed in another name. Leece was in a large way of business. Kirk had not been before the Court previously, hut Leece had. ''Nothing dishonest can be eai<l about Leece," added Mr. Kelly. "While Detective Brady was answering the telephone yesterday, he took several bets, including the winning double at Ellerslie, so probably Lecce will have to pay out on it."

"In Honour Bound."

"Although it was a full book and ac would not have laid the same double himself, my client feels in honour bound to pay out on it, and he is going to do so," said Mr. Aekins.

Leece was fined the maximum, £103, or three months' imprisonment, while Kirk was fined £50.