GAMBLING RAID IN SYDNEY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLIII, Issue 13210, 22 June 1906, Page 7

GAMBLING RAID IN SYDNEY.

EIGHT CHINESE '.'ARRESTED.

A FORTIFIED HOUSE-

The police of Sydney the other night gave further evidence of their determination to wipe out gambling in the city. They raided a shop in Elizabeth-street, near Campbellstreet, alleged to have been used as a fantan house. Operations were carried out under Sub-Inspector Roche, and Senior-Ser-geant Kelly, of No. 2 division. In point of number of arrest* the affair was a comparative failure, only eight Chinese, being taken into custody. This small haul was accounted for by the fact that play had not been started when the police paid their surprise visit. Still, the work of gaining access to the place was a triumph in itself, especially as it was done without the occupants being disturbed until the officers were right up to the table which was laid out in readiness for operations to begin. Tlw attacking party:'kit,.No 2 police station shortly before eight. Besides the officer.- supervising there were Sergeant O'Dea, and Clothes Constable Hollis, Farley, Collins, and .Joyce. After vainly trying to gain admittance to a. shop a few doors away from the place in view Sergeant Kelly, with four of his men, went round to Castlereaghstreet to attack the premises from the rear. At the back of the house was a quiet looking private establishment. A Chinaman standing smoking at the door was surprised to sec four men rush past him into the hallway, lie followed and asked for an explanation, lie got it. He. whs told that a thief had run into the house, and the men who brushed past him were police and wanted to arrest the fugitive. •' Could they look in his back yard!" asked one. All li," said the householder, as he went into the hall with, them. : He had no sooner given his permission than he " smelt a rat" and started to run lot- the door, evidently with the intention of giving the alarm. Constable Farley, however, had objections, and the Celestial was forced to give up all hopes of saving his countrymen. In tiis meantime the other officers gained the back of the premises, and after climbing on to an outhouse dropped, into the yard of the shop to be attacked. -After gathering forces in a. darSc corner, the invaders tiptoed down the asphalt, and in a few moments were at the back door of the premises. Here an agreeable surprise was in store for them. They anticipated having to'take a strong position, but here was r door .standing invitingly open. Inside the room was a large table, breast high. On two sides of it sat two Chinese in high chairs, while in the middle was an iron plate. A heap of brass tokens were piled up on one corner, ! while on the other was a miscellaneous collection of money. Such a sight was too tempting to be gazed on long, and with a' rush the police burst into the room and seized ail present. "' ■ '■-..' j In the front of the place was a shop. I Here, were three .'men, who were as. much taken by surprise as their countrymen in the back room. One of them, however, thought he had a chance of escape, and made for the door. He gained the footpath, only to be. ; overtaken by a fleet-footed constable and hauled back".again. Sub-Inspector Roche, who-was in front of the building awaiting developments, then entered the place, and read the warrant empowering him to take action. In the house were found eight men, who were taken to the Central Police Station, together with the paraphernalia ; for playing , fan-tan seized. About £6 was found on the table. ;..,-. An inspection of. the place revealed the fact that the occupants of the shop were prepared to resist a. surprise visit. The room where the table was seized is at the back of the place. To roach it from the front one. had to pass through a .small doorway in the centre of a. stout wooden partition. Tho door was a masterpiece, of ingenuity. It was secured by three contrivances. One of these was an ordinary lock, while the others were evidently Chinese inventions, being worked by ropes and pulleys. These were operated by a man who, seated behind, the partition, could scrutinise "very man before he released the catches. The windows were heavily barred, arid the back door was provided with • the- same contrivances as the front. At the roar of .the premises was a right-of-way. This, too, was made secure against surprise by a strong door, provided with a watching hole. ' -