THE SPIELERS WERE BADLY BEATEN.

New Zealand Times, Volume LVIII, Issue 2846, 15 June 1896, Page 2

THE SPIELERS WERE BADLY BEATEN.

There is sorrow among the members of tbe Willis street gang, owing to a touching incident which occurred one day last week. The visitors to Wellington for the opening of Parliament included two guileless Native chiefs, who were selected by the gang as being peculiarly fitted tor the operation known as “plucking." By aits and devices known to the initiated the “ pigeons ” were beguiled into a well-known gambling den, and a quiet game of cards was started. Of course, the visitors wore allowed to win, at first—pigeons always are allowed to win before being plucked—hut when the winnings amounted to .£ls the pluokers thought things had gone far enough, and prepared to turn the tables. But they had reckoned without their host. One of the Natives had evidently profited by his intercourse with Europeans, and to the dismay of the spielers expressively exclaimed, “ Me hungry,” at the same time preparing to take his departure. Bounteous offers of refreshment to be retailed on the premises were made, but without effect. Go he would and go he did, taking his companion and the .£ls with him, and now the gang are thirsting for blood.