GAMBLERS ROBBED

Gisborne Times, Volume LXXIII, Issue 11767, 14 October 1932, Page 3

GAMBLERS ROBBED

FAN-TAN '•BANKR LOSES £3l

CHINESE INTIMIDATED

AUCKLAND. Oct. 30

A sensational hold-up ui" a lau-tan bank in a Chinese gambling school in Auckland occurred last night, when a countryman oi the players grabbed £-11 12. s from a table, drew a dagger, and backed out through a doorway to make off w itii the money. He told the others what lie wanted the money for-

Last night the ‘'bank" started off with about £SU, and play had been going some time, withy luck ' against

tlie bank. At 8.35 p.m. there was on the board alongside the banker the sum of £3l 12s. Among those looking on was a Chinese who, through circumstances partly beyond his control. wa s required to find a considerable sum of money within a specific time. While the croupier was raking away Hie beans from Urn heap the spectator suddenly leaned over and grabbed the money. At once there was an excited jabbering among tlie players, and all jumped to their feet; but tlie tbief drew a dagger, which lutd the effect of causing any who felt like tackling him to hesitate. With the dagger in one hand and tlie £3l. I‘2s in the other, tho Chinese hacked through the doorway ami disappeared out'sidc. Another man, who was standing outside the door of the den, also disappeared. Some of the Chinese suggested reporting the hold-up to the police, hut the' majority decided not to Luke the matter outside their own circle.

This is the second occasion that a bank has been hold up in -a Chinese gambling school. Some years ago a .thief •,snatched ever £BO, and got away with'it.