GAMBLING RAID.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVIII, Issue 113, 14 May 1937, Page 8

GAMBLING RAID.

EIGHT MEN CHARGED.

PLAYERS WERE "FOOLS."

LAUGHTER IN COURT,

Eight of the men caught by detectives when they raided a gambling school on the Central wharf -shortly after 9 a.m. on May 4, appeared on summons in the Police Court to-day, before Mr. C. R. Orr Walker, S.M.

Some were charged with playing Crown and Anchor, and others the illegal game of trwo-up. The following pleaded guilty to playing a game of chance:—

Richard Carroll, James P. O. Carroll, Patrick Day, James H. Jones, Ernest W. Griffiths, Victor J. Silver. Basil Swann and Walter Ernest Watson.

Detective-Sergeant McHugh said that since the previous raid on the wharf numerous complaints had been received by the police concerning the gambling that went on. "Two or three men among this lot are professional gamblers and are practically making a living out of it," said Mr. McHugh.

''They are a source of annoyance to the men who are waiting about the wharf legitimately for work. These men reallv obstruct those who are

waiting for work. Griffiths. James Carroll and Silver .μ-e the professionals. Griffiths, who is known on the wharf as ■Aussie,' seems to bo the head man. He goes there for no other purpose than to gamble.' .

"Do you suggest that these men are the knaves and the other men the fools?" asked the magistrate. (Laughter.) Hang Around Ring. "Yes, the men who hang around the ring and play are the fools," eaid Detective-Sergeant Mel high. "The previous raid we nuule we found some loaded dice. Oil this occasion the police did not get any dice, so we don't know whether they were loaded or not. ,.

Crifliths denied that he was a professional gambler and added that he went to the wharves to get work as did hundreds of other men. ll u had never been in trouble before.

"1 can truthfully say that I have never lwt or won live Miilling.s l.y gambling in the whole of mv life," said • lout's. "I «a<s foolish <>ii this occasion and speculated twopence and got caugiit in the net." , (Laughter.)

The magistrate fined .lames Cnrroll and Silver cadi £.'> and costs and (Jrifliths £;{. The other live defendants were each lined £1 and costs.