£228 IN FINES.

Press, Volume LXIII, Issue 19026, 14 June 1927, Page 9

£228 IN FINES.

AUCKLAND GYMNASIUM RAIDED.

GAMBLERS CAUGHT AT PLAY.

[THE PEESS Special Service.]

AUCKLAND, June 13. Chief-Detective Cummings. Detec-tive-sergeant O'Brien, and Detectives -Wilder and Power comprised the raiding quartet which swooned down, or rather up, on the gymnasium and boxing school of Frederick William Batchelor (-19) in Chatfield Chambers, Customs street east, at 10 o'clock on Saturday night. Tho police paid no attention to the following notice, which was tacked on a door: "Strictly private. .Members only, Gymnasium and Pasttime Club Please knock." However, they cLd knock, and a man stationed at the door opened it as far as an iron chain would allow He was taken by surprise, and the chain was wrenched from the door with a piece of iron. The doorkeeper was seized, a detective placing ins lianas over his mouth .virile the others burst into a room on the tilth iloor and made straight for a large table covered with thick felt pawling and green baize, around which ■vere gathered a large number of men. Money totalling 17s, dice, a specially padded dice pot, 14-packs of playing -ards, and bone counters were seized. There was a general scurry when one of tiie raiders read out aloud the search warrant. Several men disappeared through a window, but they soon came back again, for reinforcements iiad arrived and had compelled them to return to the room. One man, when caught by the feet as he was attempting to escape through a window, struggled strenuously, but was dragged back into the room. By mid-night the M men were escorted downstairs, where a small crowd had gathered. Six motoroars were requisitioned to convey them to the Police Station, and as each car left the buildaig the "passengers" were cheered by the crowd. After appearing before Mr John Donald, J.P., all the men were charged and allowed ' h "h- liberty on bail until this morning.

i hose charged at the Police Court this morning comprised a very cosmopolitan lot. They were natives of the following countries:—England, Ireland, Scotland, New Zealand, Australia, Syria, Dalmatia, and the United States of* America. Mr W. R. McKean, S.M., presided, and there was a large attendance of the public in Court. Batchelor was charged with keeping a common gaming-house, while David Simon (41) was charged with assisting in the management of such a house. Both men pleaded guilty. The others arrested were charged with being on the premises.

Chief-Detective Cummings said that the police had knowledge that the gymnasium was being used as a gambling house for the last two months and that gambling was indulged in, principally on Saturday nights and on Sunday afternoons and nights. The premises had been kept under observation for some time.

"If the owners of premises do not keep better supervision over the people to whom they rent their premises," said the Chief-Detect ve, "then the Department will have seriously to consider charging them, too." The men, he added, were playing hazards when the detectives entered the room. Last week, a serious assault was committed in the gymnasium, when a man, who, it was alleged, resorted ,to some sharp practices, was put out of the room, ; ''There isv'one thing about Batchelor and his assistant." said the Magistrate. "They never told any untruths, and admitted everything frankly Batchelor will be fined £6O. or three months' imnrisonment, and ordered to pay £7 as nolice exnenses, while Simon will be fined £3O. plus £3 ..police expenses, in default six week's imprisonment. The other defendants were fined sums varvins from £5 downward. Mr Cummings applied for an order to confiscate the money and gaming imnlements found on the premises. This was mpdc. Mr remarking that only 17s in money was seized. This, he thought, was a small sum. "I'm afraid quite a lot of grabbing took place when we entered the room, said the Chief-Detective. _ The Wai amount of the fines levied was £228.