NO CHANCE FOR GIVING THE “OFFICE”

Dominion, Volume 16, Issue 176, 13 April 1923, Page 3

NO CHANCE FOR GIVING THE “OFFICE”

STORY OF A SYDNEY POLICE RAID. To prevent him giving the “office” to his friends during a raid on tfhe. Greek Club, Castlereagh Street, one night, a Sydney constable grabbed a man by the throat so tightly that he could not speak. The story of the raid was told at the Central Police Court. Nicholas Drake, or Drakonaillis, aged 37, was Charged with having been the keeper of a. common gaming house. Thomas Martin, aged 36, was charged with having been the manager of the place, and Hilton Hodges, aged 44, with having assisted in the management. Frederick Gray, aged 50, was charged with having acted as doorkeeper. The remainder of the seating accommodation in Hie Court was taken up by the other 42 defendants. Greeks and Europeans, who were charged with having been found on the premises without lawful excuse. Constable C. J. Chuck said that a. party of 23 police motored to the Greek Club shortly before midnight on Friday. As they mounted the stairs, Constable A. H. Chuck and his brother, the witness. leading, they saw Gray with his coat off, and standing at the top. AS Gray began to move down the passage, A. H. Chuck grabbed him by the throat and detained him. Entering the main room, the police saw the remainder of the defendants gathered round a blanket, wlhich had been thrown over four tables. A game of “moosh” was in progress. Martin, who was acting as dealer, stood at the head of the table, and turned up the cards from a pack. “When.' we entered they all made a scrub for the money on the cloth,” said Chuck. “I.made a grab, too. and got 35.” Many packs of cards and chairs and tables were confiscated, and with the defendants were taken in the patrol wagons to the Central Police Station. There it was found that several of the men possessed large sums of money. To Mr. Meagher, who appeared for all the defendants, Constable Chuck said tnat his brother grabbed Gray before the latter could give the others the “office.” Mr. Meagher: Did Gray say anything? “My brother said he let out a bit of a gurgle!" How many of the police were armed with axes?—“One. We thought we would have to force the door if Gray got in first.” Chuck denied that the police helped themselves to the cigars and cigarettes in the club. There were two Greek clubs in the building, he said; one above the other. The one which was raided was on the first floor. “There was a general stamped* Vkcn we arrived," said Constabl» Lawrence. “They ran in all directions. ’