A BIG BAG

Evening Star, Issue 21965, 27 February 1935, Page 2

A BIG BAG

"CALCUTTA” SWEEP RAID GREAT INTEREST IN PROSECUTIONS (Per United Press Association.} AUCKLAND, February 26. The police took the names of 195 men at To Aroha on the occasion of the raid on Friday night, when it is alleged that a “ Calcutta ” sweepstake was being drawn at the Masonic Hall. No date has been fixed for the ’ court proceedings which are to follow the police raid. The matter is in the hands of the Police Department at Hamilton. It is understood that all the participants in the alleged “ Calcutta ” draw whose names were taken will bo required to answer a charge of a breach of tho Gaming Act, Consequently. those who escaped from the Masonic Hall by means of the windows —and there were quite a numberare congratulating themselves. It is considered that, in the event of a conviction being entered against all the men, the Waikato and Ohinemuri race meetings will be detrimentally affected both in attendance and totalisator turnover. .

It is understood that those whose names were taken included justices of the peace, racing club administrators, owners, trainers, jockeys, and many prominent followers of the sport. The story is told that a member of Parliament approached the hall soon after the police arrived, but on learning what was happening did not seek entry. There was a wide variety of “ hard luck ” stories told the police party by those whose names and addresses were desired. One man was particularly annoyed when he was caught in the net “Really,” he said, “I have nothing to do with any 1 Calclutta ’ or whatever you call it,” Mr —y is my brother-in-law, and his wife is an ex pectant mother. The doctor sent me to get him, that’s why I’m here. _ Te Aroha is one of the towns which is on the circuit of Magistrate J. H. Luxford, and the next sitting of tho court there occurs in two weeks time. The hearings of the charges _ against the men found on the premises will in all probability be taken in the Hamilton Police Court, Hamilton being regarded as a more convenient and general place. . Already quite a number of men have engaged counsel.