POLICE RAID FOUND CROWN AND ANCHOR

Press, Volume C, Issue 29508, 9 May 1961, Page 21

POLICE RAID FOUND CROWN AND ANCHOR

(New Zealand Press Association)

PALMERSTON N., May 8. A police raid on a hall at the Awapuni Racecourse on April 13 when a game of crown and anchor was being conducted by members of the Manawatu Racing Owners’ and Trainers’ Association was described in the Magistrate’s Court at Palmerston North today when the association and a restaurant proprietor, Mark Yurjevich, were charged with conducting a common gaming house. Detective Senior-Sergeant F. A. Gordon said when the police party arrived about 10 p.m. it found about 100 men and women on the premises and a game of crown and anchor in progress. Yurjevich, who was acting as croupier, had £76 in front of him.

Yurjevich had admitted conducting the game but claimed that he was making no personal gain, said Mr Gordon. The hall had been let to the association and the president had been “honest, respectful and courteous” to the police. He told the police that a social was being run and proceeds of the game went towards the association's funds.

The persons present came from as far away as Invercargill and Auckland and had not been aware that a game was to be conducted. About 70 names were taken but a lot of persons left hurriedly through lavatory windows.

For the defendants, Mr T. A. de Cleene said the association was a very young one and was formed to assist small owners and trainers. On the day of the offence thoroughbred sales had been

held in the city which had been attended by many of those present in the hall. The crown and anchor game was only one of many entertainments offered that evening. “Last Duck” Yurjevich's function as croupier was a purely voluntary gesture and it was unfortunate that he was "the last duck in a very large flight,” said Mr de Cleene. He was the only individual to be charged. Mr D. G. Sinclair, S.M.. said he was bound to take into account the amount of money involved in the game and what must be a reasonable assumption that Yurjevich knew that he was breaking the law. The Magistrate convicted both the association and Yurejevich and fined each £5O. He ordered the £76 taken by the police to be returned to the association and that the gaming equipment be confiscated.