48 ARRESTS MADE

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXII, Issue 21671, 24 March 1945, Page 4

48 ARRESTS MADE

CITY GAMING SCHOOL MANAGERS SENT TO GAOL (P.A.) AUCKLAND-, March 24. As a sequel to a police raid on a gaming' school on Thursday night, when 48 arrests were made, William Edward Hart, aged 44. clerk, was charged before the magistrate, .Mr. J. H. Luxford, in the Police Court yesterday with using premises occupied by him in Albert street as a common gaming house. Cyril Michael Poole, aged 42, wharf labourer, was charged with assisting in the management of the house. Both pleaded guilty. The police stated that when the raid was made a big game of two-up was in progress. Such gaming schools seemed to be springing up all over the city. For the accused, Mr. Terry said that there was no evidence of any social evil involved.

The magistrate expressed surprise at counsel’s suggestion that the offence was just part of the public’s gambling habits and that it was no more harmful than art unions and the totalisator. ,

“This class of offence is no potential; it is a fact, and if left unchecked will assume serious proportions,’’ he said. “There have been a number of these cases recently and future offenders, whether first or second, will receive salutary punishment. The time for fines has passed.”

Each man was sentenced to two months’ gaol with hard labour. Of the other men arrested, those with previous convictions and those who did not appear were fined £5 or 10 days’ gaol, while first offenders who appeared in court were fined £3 or one week in gaol.

Born in Nelson and educated in Gisborne, Flight Lieutenant lan G. Nicklin is well known locally, having been employed as a driver with the New Zealand Road Service. A son ol’ Mrs. W. G. Nicklin the Heads, Wairoa, Flight Lieutenant Nicklin trained with the air force in New Zealand and two years ago proceeded to England. He has recently been flying Lancasters. H.s wife.' Mrs. 1. G. Nicklin, resides at 3 Matthew read, Gisborne.