FIFTY ARRESTED.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIX, Issue 125, 30 May 1938, Page 9

FIFTY ARRESTED.

LIGHTNING RAID.

TWO-UP BEING PLAYED.

ONLY ONE MAN ESCAPED

Making a lightning raid on premises in Queen Street at 9.30 on Saturday night, detectives arrested 50 men whom they found gathered around a billiard table where a game of two-up was being played. On the arrival of the arrested men at the Police Station it was necessary to hold a special sitting of the Court, the men being charged before Mr. G. R. Ma gee, J.P., all being admitted to bail -intil their appearance in the Police Court this morning. The raid was in the charge of DetectiveSeigeunts P. J. Kalder and F. Aplin. As the Town Hall clock struck the half hour of 9.30 Detective-Sergeant Nalder and Detectives R. H. Watenson and A. T. Gillum climbed from tiie verandah of a butcher's shop, ran up a fire escape and entered the premises through a window. The detectives ran the length of the room and surprised those at the billiard table before they realised what had occurred. Other de\ctivee then entered by the front door. It took some considerable time to interview each man and note his name and address.

Two men escaped through a window, but one was overtaken. The other succeeded in getting away after running over the roofs of verandahs and dropping down a verandah post. There was a general scatter when someone called out that tlie police wore in, but few tried to get away. There was much amusement when one man was discovered hiding under a table. Men Before Court. All the men arrested appeared before Mr. C. R. Orr Walker, S.M., in the Police Court this morning. Clarence William Russell was charged with being the occupier of the premises and \ising them as a common gaming house, while Walter Charles Absolum, i a slaughterman, and Albert James Thomas, labourer, were each charged with assisting in the conduct' of a common gaming house. Appearing for the three accused, Mr. J. Terry obtained a remand in each case until June 7. Bail was renewed in each case. The remainder of the men were each charged with being found in a common gaining house without lawful excuse. A number did not nppenr, < and of the others who were present only two — Thomas Johnstone and Stanley Percy Burnett —pleaded not guilty. "Blot on City." Detective-Sergeant MeHugh said that ill consequence of complaints received by the police inquiries were made and the necessary evidence obtained. A warrant was executed on the. premises. "The detectives found the premises barricaded and fitted with electric alarm bells, but they managed to set in without being seen." added Mr. MeHugh. "They found a very representative crowd there, too — Hindus Maoris, Damnations and Europeans. They were all interested in the o-ame that was going on. This place ie recognised as a blot on our fair oity, and we have had many complaints about it." What game was being played there?" asked the magistrate. "Two-lip," replied the detective-ser-geant. Mr. Orr Walker said that to save time he would fine all those who had a previous conviction for gaming £5 and costs, and those who did "not, £3 and costs. Those so fined were allowed one week in which to pay. The following, who had been previously convicted under the Gaming Act. were each fined £■"> and 10/ costs:—John Williams Barbarich. Walter Edwards. L-achlan Mac Donald. James Joyce. George Bernard Murphy. Zam James Foley, Albeit Young, Cyril Michael Poole. David Henry Simon. Henry Parkin. Charles Henry Tileman. William Daubney. Robert Ferric. George Tole. George * Gopal. Arthur John Watson. Andrew James Botica. The following, who had no previous conviction, were each fined £3 and costs ]0/: —James McLean, Henry Wikairi. George Mac Donald. Harvey Thomas. Samuel Dunmore. Edward James, George Wells, Arnold Edgar Morgan. Arthur James Wilkinson. Xicklas Kenbrotas, Charles Cooper. Toma Jaksich. Robert McDonald. Jack Lynch. Owen Donaldson. George Wiremii Matthews, Adolphus Trow. John Matheson. Thomas Tieh. Jack Xatban. Samuel Shenherd, Michael John Hogan. Clifford Hindle. Mirk Matkovich. Alfred Major Lemon. Thomas Johnston. Gporge Peter Kriskovich. Percy Archibald Wood. Stanley Percy Barnett. The "OK." The ca<spt=i against Johnstone and Barnett were then taren. Johnstone said he had gone to the • building' with Barnett, wlio was suffering with a bad back, to try and find f a masseur named Traeey. He underi stood that Traeey was in the same i building. On going to the lift he wae , jtefcefc-apetaiiß^by —»_ jmaiu. jQcl Huui

Barnett had not been in the room more than a minute when the police entered.

The cross-examination of Arthur John Watson by Detective-Sergeant McHugh made a merry interlude. Wateon, called by the defence, denied that he was the liftman employed at the gaming school. However, he did admit that he knew Johnstone and "O.K.'d" him.

"I eaid to Johnstone, 'How is he?' (meaning Barnett), an<l he said, 'It's all right,' " said Watson, "so I took him up to make arrangements for him to see Trace j T ." Detectivc-Sergeant McHugh: I eee, eo you 'O.K.'d' them?—Yee, but I wouldn't 'O.K.' vou.

You* wouldn't "0.K." me. Why?— Well, you're not the class of player wanted, but if you were with Johnstone and he "O.K.'d' you I'd let you up. (Laughter.)

The magistrate said he could not accept the story told and convicted and fined both men" £3.