POLICE USE AXES

Feilding Star, Volume 7, Issue 2305, 7 September 1929, Page 3

POLICE USE AXES

TO BUI!ST INTO CLUB 11AIDS IN BRISBANE , • Excitement prevailed in Brisbane when a large force of police simultaneously maiie organised raids on alleged gambling houses, the affect- 1 ed premises being the Terrier Club, in Moore’s Buildings. Queen street, and the Atlantic- Club, in O’Connor House, Albert street. That llie police were cognisant of possible obstacles' in the way of invaders was disclosed by the fact that heavy axes formed their principal

equipment. Shortly before 10 p.m. motor cars, containing about 20 constables, pulled Up outside Moore’s Buildings, and the police made a dash upstairs to th e Terrier Club. They gained entrance into the room without any resitance, and arrested .36 men. It is stated that two principals, of the

club , escaped. The raid on premises in Albert street provided much more excitement. The large rooms of the Atlilee Club were crowded when police cars halted outside the building. Police entered the front doorway without trouble, but a barred door

separated the stairway from 'the elubrooms. Constructed of heavy hardwood, the door offered stout resistance to the axes; and when, after 10 minutes’ battering, (lie police burst through into the club, only eight men wer e found, and were arrested.

Wlien the first crash of an axe on th e door "was heard, tliero was a wild scramble .inside, and it is estimated that about 80 men escaped. Many got; through the windows of tli e club facing Albert street, and jumped to the street, a distance of about 25 feet. Several received minor injuries. Others scrambled 'along on an awning, and entering windows further along, made good their escape through small shops. The police in the street were powerless to stop the escapees; their fforts bing hindered by a crowd, which at one stage numbered over 1000

Forty-four men were arrested, conveyed to the lock up and granted bail.