RAIDED.

Evening Post, Volume LXXVI, Issue 138, 10 December 1908, Page 8

RAIDED.

A SCENE ON THE WHARF. ALLEGED "TWO- UPPERS" DISTURBED. POLICE IN PLAIN CLOTHES. This is the season for breaking-up ceremonies for various schools, and it is alleged that among the number is an open-air two-up school. It is asserted that the term began a considerable time ago, on the wharf, near the Sailors' Rest, and in the Waiting Room or "Donkey Room" where waterside workers and alleged waterside workers linger for somebody to hire them. The pupils varied, but the gathering was understood to be an institution apparently eternal. It was a technical school. The classes were, it was alleged, organised seemingly for the study of coins of the realm, and watching their peculiar movements through the air when propelled upwards It has been said that the students of the heads and tails of pennies and silver coins in the suspected schools made no attempt to hide away from the general public. Anybody passing, it was said, could see the scholars interestedly watching the twirling metal, but the men did not seem to like constables to look over their shoulders while they were studying their lessons. To ward ol? such an irritating distraction in the important work of seeing whether the Royal Mint had properly done its work, scouts were posted, it is alleged, and whnn a policeman drew near the group the pupils were innocently smoking and whistling. A TRAP. But the police are folk capable of having their curiosity aroused afc certain times. They dearly desired to get an insight into the nature of the lessons which received such close attention from many men, and therefore they sent a couple of pupils io look into the gatherings, suspected to be connected with a school. These members of the force purported to be waterside workers, and at 10.30 this morning they were in the middle of an interested gioup. Just as the town clock chimed the half-hour, Sergeant Dale turned a corner, by the Sailors' Rest, and came into full view of the assembly. Th& officer's advent caused a lull in the procedure which had previously held the men's attention, and they gave no sign of discomfiture. They smoked, smiled and otherwise looked cheerful. So did the sergeant. He had four or five constable? in plain clothes, at strategic points, commanding the site of the supposed school, and the leader's move around the corner was the signal for his supporters to close in. The two mock- watersufe 'workers had conned their parts well, and assisted the visiting posse of police. "This qi*e, and this one," said the two disguised policemen, till seven, weie pointed out to the sergeant. Iho chief of the raiders did not arre&t any one. lfc was his instruction to proceed by summons, and he therefore politely invited the men to accompany him to the Police Station. There their names weie taken, and they were summoned to appear at the Magistrate's* Court next 'Monday on a charge- of having played an unlawful game, two up, in a public place. More than seven men were at the meeting, in the bright sunlight, when it camo to a, sudden end by tho appearance of the police. Ihe seven,- who all appeared to be labourers, went quietly to the station, and uere allowed to go abroad as foon as their names had been formally entered up. Tho incident provided a very lively topic in conversation at various points ot' the wharves during the morning and lunch hour. Ihe diama.tic arrival of tho police had obviously impressed many membeis of the waterside fraternity.