RAID ON CLUB

Press, Volume LXXII, Issue 21940, 14 November 1936, Page 14

RAID ON CLUB

BREACHES OF GAMING ACT ALLEGED SURPRISE ACTION BY POLICE (PSBSS 18SOCU.TION TBLEQRA.M.) AUCKLAND, November 13. A surprise raid by nine detectives on the Auckland National Club in Swanson street late to-night resulted in the capture of 67 men, who will appear before the court at midnight charged with breaches of the Gaming Act. The Central Police Station will constitute the court. The raid brought in the largest “bag” ever captured by a single raiding party in Auckland. Detectives gathered outside the club. One of them stationed himself at the main door and immediately arrested the door-keeper. The other eight detectives clambered up the fire escape, ai.d climbed through the card room window on the third floor. The room was empty, and the party passed through it and along a passage to the billiards room, where men were playing a number of games. As soon as the police entered there was a rush for the window overlooking the light well. Three men squeezed themselves past the others and dropped 18 feet on to the corrugated iron ro'of of an outhouse below. One fell almost into the arms of Detective Bradley, who was stationed below, but the others managed to escape. All the men in the club were captured.