POLICE RAID AT MASTERTON.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1164, 22 June 1894, Page 28

POLICE RAID AT MASTERTON.

From Our Own Correspondent. Masterton, Juno 13. A mild consternation has been created in town through a raid having been made by Sergeant McArdle and two constables upon the premises of Messrs A. White and Co., tobacconists, on Tuesday night. Shortly after nine o'clock, Sergeant McArdle, who had, through some mysterious source, got wind that a well-known racehorse was to bo raffled, went to Messrs White and Co.'s establishment. Ho heard sounds of laughter within and an amount of hilarity which is uncommon at that hour of the night. He knocked at tho back door, the door was not opened. He knocked again, and from the dead silence which prevailed a voice was heard to ask " Who's there ?" The reply was quick, " The police !"

Then thero was a rushing and tumbling about which would have put a bedlam in the shade. Some sought shelter beneath the counter, others behind screens, and a few in the front window of the shop. The door was opened, and the sergeant entered. No sooner had he done so than the lights were extinguished. There was another scatter, and a bolt for the front door. About fourteen of these who essayed to emerge from this entrance fell into the arms of a constable and were forced back.

The doors were locked, and the sergeant proceeded to take the names of those present. The names included those of some of the luminaries of the town. Everybody protested his innocence, and declared that the gathering was held to mako a presentation to one of the firm who was recently married.

Tho sequel will, in all probability, be heard in tho Magistrate's Court. Meanwhile there is an anxious look upon the brow of many a respected citizen who, like Cassar's wife, had been regarded as above suspicion.