SUSPECTED GAMING HOUSES

Dominion, Volume 22, Issue 84, 3 January 1929, Page 6

SUSPECTED GAMING HOUSES

CASES AT CHRISTCHURCH RAIDS ON NEW YEAR’S EVE Dominion Special Service. Christchurch, January 2. On New Year's Eve the police carried out two gaining raids, one on the residence of Patrick Walsh, 66 Hills Road, and the other on the fish shop conducted by llobert James Watson Mitchell, at 52 Oxford Terrace. As the result a number of charges were heard subsequently at a special sitting of the Magistrate’s Court at the Central Police Station. The police worked systematically and effected complete surprises in both cases, a large number of documents being seized. On the bungalow in Hills Road De-tective-Sergeant Young, Detective Ede, Detective Findlay, and Constable Cruickshank made a sudden swoop. To the front door went Detective Ede, at the back door was Detective Findlay, and with an Alsatian pup and a couple of other dogs yelping at his heels, De-tective-Sergeant Young was clambering through a window facing the south. Detective Young dropped right into the room/ where in the heat of the summer’s day, was Albert Khouri with his coat oft and Robert Michael Cox, who found it necessary to go upstairs. At the back door Walsh was raising his voice in protest against Detective Findlay, not aware, of course, that the enemy was already in possession. Mrs. Walsh was upstairs when the detectives arrived.

Then it was found that the two telephones, which do not appear in the Telephone Directory in the names of Walsh, Cox or Khouri, had been disconnected mysteriously. It was not long, however, before Post and Telegraph workmen were on the spot and restored the connection, after which Detective-Sergeant Young was at liber Detective-Sergeant Young was at liberty to answer any calls. Cox became talkative, but not for long. At the same time that the detectives were at Hills Road, Chief-Detective Carroll, Detective-Sergeant O’Brien, Detective Thompson, and Police Matron Rodgers walked quietly into the shop of Mitchell, but not to buy fish. Possession was taken of sundry documents, and the telephone, as at the home of the Walshes. But this time Matron Rodgers was at home to all telephone inquiries. Late in the afternoon, Walsh and Cox, who gave his address as Park Terrace, were charged with being bookmakers. Walsh was also charged with keeping a common gaming-house, and Cox was charged with assisting him. They were remanded till January 8, bail being allowed. Albert Khouri, charged with being found without lawful excuse on the premises of a common gaming-house, was remanded also, on bail, till January 8. Mitchell and his wife, Mary Mitchell, were charged with keeping a common gaming-house, and were remanded till January 8 on bail. Albert Edward Baldwin, charged with being found on premises kept as a common gaming-house, was remanded on bail till January 8.