SENSATION ON WATERFRONT

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXX, 26 March 1936, Page 8

SENSATION ON WATERFRONT

DETECTIVES’ RAID AT AUCKLAND GAMBLING “SCHOOLS" ALLEGED (United Press Association) AUCKLAND, 25th March. A sensation was caused on the water* front this morning when a party of detectives suddenly appeared in two uiotor-cars, which drew up near the entrance to Queen’s Wharf. Alighting from the cars, the party moved swiftly on to the section of the wharf connecting Queen’s Wharf with Central Wharf and surrounded a crowd of 44 men. who were later taken to the wharf police station. It is alleged that four gambling “schools” were in progress when the detectives arrived, one playing “twoup” and the others “crown and anchor.” A number of dice was seized as well as “crown and anchor” boards.

The coup was made so suddenly that none of the men involved was aware that anything was amiss until the eight detectives were upon them. They submitted to questioning in. good humour and exchanged badinage with the detectives and also a police sergeant and two constables who had arrived ou the scene. It is alleged that one of the men acted as a “scout” for the others, his point of vantage being the top of a boiler. The men will later apnear in the Police Court on summons. The raid is the biggest ever connected with alleged gambling on the Ayaterfront, and was carried out following numerous complaints. The proceedings quickly attracted a large number of bystanders, who were interested spectators of the whole episode.