TWO-UP GAME

Auckland Star, Volume LXXVI, Issue 147, 23 June 1945, Page 7

TWO-UP GAME

CITY HOME RAIDED

DRIVER SENT TO GAOL

Caught last night as he was conducting a game of two-up in thj living room of his house, Mita O'Brien (28), a motor driver, was this morning sent to prison by Mr. J. H. Luxford, S.M., for one month.

O'Brien pleaded guilty to a charge of using premises at 69, Vincent Street as a common gaming house.

Detective-Sergeant F. N. Aplin said that, following numerous complaints that the house was being used as a common gaming house," it was visited by himself and Detective P. Mathieson at 8.45 p.m. The detectives found a fairly large game of two-up in progress. There were about 30 persons in the room. O'Brien was acting as croupier. "O'Brien said he had only been running the game for two or three days, but we know it was running at the house before and that the game was closed down for a week or so," added Detective-Sergeant Aplin. "Last night we found quite a number of men who have criminal histories and also well-known gamesters on the premises. The game was being > played on a table fitted with special sides to prevent the dice rolling off."

Third Raid This Week

O'Brien's wife and three young children lived with him in the house. He had in his possession £5, which he said he had made up until the time of the raid. "These games in private houses are springing up all over the city," added Mr. Aplin. "This is the third place raided this week and in each case the occupants have been Maoris."

Mr. Luxford asked if there was any suggestion that anyone was organising the gaming houses.

"No, sir," replied Detective - Sergeant Aplin, "but these games are well organised. We view such houses seriously, as many of the men who attend have criminal record? while others are gamesters who do nothing else but patronise these illegal games. It is only recently that this class of offence is taking place in dwelling houses. The games seem to be shifting from other premises to private homes."

Mr. Luxford: Is there any suggestion that anyone gets "stripped" in these places? Detective-Sergeant Aplin: No, sir, but we have received numerous letters about this place in Vincent Street. We have had letters from women complaining that their husbands play two-up from 2 p.m. to 2 a.m. and that they are squandering their money.

Magistrate's Warning

O'Brien told the magistrate that the game was run by another man and himself.

"Why aren't you satisfied with your own job?" asked Mr. Luxford. O'Brien said he started the game because "chaps came along with the idea." ■

Mr. Luxford: Well, you have now got to get that idea out of your head. These gaming houses are a potential evil and they have got to be stopped. A bad class of person usually attends and others who go there eventually come down to their level. In future I am not going to impose monetary penalties unless there are some exceptional circumstances. On this occasion I will not impose the maximum—you are sentenced to one month's imprisonment with hard labour.