ALLEGED GAMING HOUSES.

Otago Witness, Issue 3031, 17 April 1912, Page 9

ALLEGED GAMING HOUSES.

RAIDS BY AUCKLAND POLICE. NEARLY EIGHTY ARRESTS: AUCKLAND, April 9. Between 2.30 and 3 o'olock this afternoon four detachments of police, . under Subinspector Hendry, Senior Sergeant M'Kinnon, Sergeant Ferguson (of the water front 7K>lice), and Sergeant Bird, simultaneously raided the premises occupied by John Ryan, billiard saloon keeper. Yulcan lane"; Robert Porter and Charles Taylor Coombe's Arcade; Lofty Richards and John Weston, British Buildings; and Daniel Twchill, Coombe's Arcade, respectively and detained all persons therein on charges of being found in common gambling houses. It is fairly well known that, although the introduction of gaming legislation some two years ago made bookmakers business illegal, a number of men who were formerly licensed still carry on flourishing businesses. From time to time the police in various parts of the Dominion have made mora or less successful attempts to suppress gambling of this character. It appears that since Sergeant Ferguson took charge of the water front police he has noticed a great deal of gambling coing on about the wharves and other places. It is understood that the raid made this afternoon were the outcome of many weeks of careful investigation, and that a great deal of evidence has been collected. Any premises on which betting of the nature carried on by bookmakers is permitted comes under the scope of the Gaming Act as a common gaming house, and the police are of the opinion that they held sufficient incriminating evidence to warrant them makiner the raids. To passers-by in the vicinity of Coombe s Arcade, Vulcan lane, and Theatre lane just prior to the raids there was nothing to indicate that there -was anyhing of an unusual nature afoot. Business appeared to be going on as usual in the premises which were to bo disturbed a few minutes later by the entry of the large bodies of police that suddenly made their appearance. Great credit is due to the police that everything in connection with the raid was carried out so quietly and without any unnecessary publicity. The arrangements were evidently complete in every detail and, the four raids being made at precisely the samo moment, there was no possibility of any warning being given to the occupants of any one of the premises of the raids on tho others. When all the persons found on the premise 3in question, together with the principals, had been taken to tho P° on station it was found that in all nearly 80 'had been arrested. They were brought before justices, who let them all out on bail. The principals were released upon a bond of £2OO each, and those found on the premises upon a bond of £lO. Sub-inspector Hendrey, assisted by Sergeant O'Grady, Detective Scott and nine constables, headed the raid on Ryan s billiard saloon. A large number of men wero found on the premises, and others came in luter. In all, about 25 persons wero here placed under arrest, besides tho owner of the establishment. After the doors were scoured all the men on the premises were searched with the object of obtaining documentary evidence of betting. Some took objection to being searched, whilst others began to make excuses for being on the premises, but with the exorcise of some tact the police oonvinoed those present of the necessity of a search being conducted, and they then submitted with as good grace as possible under the circumstances. Whilo the police were in charge of the premises several persons knocked at tho door and demanded admittance. They were told they could not come in by the plainclothes constables at the door, but they were persistent. "What rot!" some of them exclaimed, "we must go in,' whilo others made use of stronger expressions. Their desire to gain admission was gratified, but their regret at tho circumstance was strongly depicted on their faces whon they were promptly placed under arrest as a result of their persistency. The premises of Taylor and Porter, in Coombe's Arcade, wore visited by Seniorsergoant M'Kirunon and three constables. There was no incident of any note to record. The owners of the premises and six othor persons were arrested, and all tho books on the premises were seized. Sergeant Bird and two constables raided the premises of Daniel Twohill, in Coombe's Arcade, the occupier and 13 others, including a woman, were placed under arrest, and tho usual search was made. Sergeant Ferguson was in charge of the raid on Weston and Richard's premises, in the British Buildings, where the two principals aiid 25 others wero arrested. An amusing incident took place in tho office of one of the places raided. A buriv sergeant was sitting at tho table when a middle-aged woman entered with tho utmost confidence. It is understood she walked up to tho sergeant and put a halfsovereign on the table saying, " Halfsovereign on Masterpiece, please." " Right, I'll take it," 6aid the sergeant, and he put the money in his pocket. The lady was much surprised wiien she was enlightaited by the sergeant as to hi 3 identity. "Oh!" she remarked amidst her confusion, " I thought you were a partner of tho firm."

Tho sergeant concerned has certainly a sportsmanlike appearance, but whether he felt complimented or otherwise by the remark has not been elicited.

Tho raid was. in point of the number of prisoners taken, tho biggest or one of tho biggest ever effected in New Zealand. The large number of prisoners taxed the police station to its utmost, and it was not long before tho watch house was insufferably hot. It was soon impossible to carry oil formalities in the restricted space, and the wholo of tho huge party was conducted in an official and orderly manner to the gymnasium of the force. In this impromptu court tho justices saw the prisoners j-nd signed their bail bonds. Tho victims of the vigilance of the law were apparently quite happy, for it was not long before the air of athleticism proper to a good gymnasium appealed to them, and they forthwith picked tides, tailed on to g. long rope, . and had a tug-of-war. Nobody knows who won, and nobody knows whether the men who were arrested for gambling made side beta on tho event. If the ruling spirit were strong enough to conquor the influence of legal authority its voice was very still and small, and no money changed hands It was natural that some at least of the

captured ones should try to warn others approaching, and in one case a man called out to a visitor to go away if he valued his liberty. The newcomer at once used his best efforts to leave, but the constable waylaid him while still on the premises and brought him back. Most of the men took the affair very philosophically, and seemed rather to. enjoy the discomfiture of those freshly added to their ranks. The women were the most distressed. (Feom Our Own Correspondent.) AUCKLAND, April 9 In connection with the raid a Star reporter climbed the stairs to the rooms occupied by a well-known turf commissioner. "Lofty" Richards. Halting at the door a subdued murmur was plainly to bo heard. Knowing that a trap had been set ho walked hesitatingly away a few *.teps then back to tho door, and after a pause timidly knocked. That was enough. The door immediately flew open fcnd out pourced two detectives The poor pressman was firmly gripped by each arm and whisked into the room, the door being quickly closed behind him. Naturally, having got so far, he thought he would wait a moment or two and take things in before disclosing what a.n innocent person he really was. The room was filled with men, about 30 being present. At the table sat an unfortunate lady, who was presumably a client. Before her was piled the little heap of gold the police bad taken from her, and all over tho table wer9 other heaps of gold, notes, and silver. Atcgether there must have been hundred-t of pounds on that little office table, and as each man present was in turn searched the pile was added to. At the rate of about one a minute fresh arrivals were being caught in the net. There would come a knock at the dcor then in would pop an amazed person firmly in the grasp of the law officers, and would be lined up with the others to wait his turn to be searched and relieved of his property. When they recovered their amazement their remark* were frequently the reverse of complimentary. One wellknown citizen in particular was very angry at what had befallen him, and in loud, heated tones complained of his arrest. A request by the police officer that he should be quiet only aroused his indignation, and there was a danger that his loud-spoken protests would scai - e away other callers. The production of the " irons" silenced him, and Sergeant Ferguson, who was working in his shirt sleeves counting the piles ot gold, stated for the information of all present that it was hoped that the business would be carried through in orderly fashion, as there was no desire to handcuff anyone. Most of those present took the position philosophically, and laughed at the dtscoinfiture of each fresh arrival as he was placed under airest. When the Star 'man came up for search he presented his bona fides, and, then hurried back to the office to " write up." Just about a quarter past 2 Sub-inspector Hendry, accompanied by four or five constables all in plain clothes, walked slowly up Vulcan lane from Queen street. It was significant that most of the bystanders in the lane looked up curiously, and watched the movements of the police. They walked right through to High street, stopped at tho corner for a moment or two, were joined by more constables, and then returned more briskly, entering Ryan's billiard room straight away. Immediately the doors were closed, and further exit or entrance was barred. A brief survey of the billiard room about a quarter of an hour later revealed to a Star reporter, before he was gently persuaded to leave, some 20 or 30 men sitting along the seat at one side of the room. A pile of books and papers on one corner of the billiard table indicated that a search had been .made of at least some pockets, and two or three constables were even then conducting a further search of coats, etc., belonging to inmates of tho room.

At the time of the raid great interest was taken in the billiard room by those having business or other interests in Vulcan lane, and considerable entertainment was derived from watching the astonished expressions of those not in the know, who went innocently alontr to try to get in. The inmates of the billiard room could not be identified in the short time available for a rapid glance round by one who wished still to retain his freedom, but a knowing bystander remarked. " If the mob in there are those I think they are, the* police have collared a blooming good school." Amidst the long rows of offices in Loombes's Arcade are several betting shops, and here also the police were successful in securing a great many arrests. SEQUEL TO THE AUCKLAND RAIDS. AUCKLAND, April 10. It was quite obvious when the time for the sitting of the Police Court drew near this morning that something unusual was happening. A large number of persons, mostly young men, assembled in the precincts of the building and inside the courthpuse, and at 10.30 the space reserved for the public was a solid wedge of humanity. The cause of this departure from the normal state of affairs was the fact that a large crowd of persons who were the victims of yesterday's police raids on alleged gambling shops were Uo be brought before the magistrate to explain the why and the wherefore of their presence on the premises that were invaded. It had been hoped by the expectant onlookers that the cases would be heard in the morning, but this was not to be. The usual business was exceptionally heavy, and occupied all the morning and part of the afternioon, with the result that those who had looked forward to hearing the gambling charges went disappointed away at the luncheon adjournment. They assembled in strong fjorce again in .the afternoon, when the cases were proceeded with. Mr F. V. Frazer, S.M., was on the bench. When the first of the case was called Sub-inspector Hendry intimated that he would apply that all the charges be adjourned until April 18. The Magistrate granted the application. Bail was fixed in the case *>f principals in £2OO and sureties of £IOO each, and in the case of those who had visited the premises it was again fixed at £lO. The police have not confined their efforts solely to raiding the alleged gaming houses. For some weeks past, it is understood, they have been engaged in seeking evidence with the object jpi pro-

i oeeding against bookmakers in the city. It is well known that there are people here who are still plying the bookmakers' calling, although barred by law ; but the great difficulty in putting a stop to illegal betting has been the obtaining of sufficient evidence to secure convictions. It is now asserted that the police have dragged nearly all, if not all, of the bookmakers operating in the city into their net, and have gathered sufficient evidence to warrant them in taking proceedings against a, number of alleged bookmakers. These will be proceeded against by summons, and in due course they will appear before the magistrate. AMUSING INCIDENTS. (From Our Own Correspondent.) AUCKLAND, April 10. Several further amusing incidents in cjonnection with the police raid yesterday have come to light. As unwary visitors to the raided premises arrived and found themselves entrapped they made all kinds of excuses, one of the most popular being the statement that an error had been made in mistaking the betting shop for the rooms of a solicitor who does business in the same building. The first man refused to make a statement of any kind, while several declared that they were " just walking through the building when the constable at the door dragged them in." Others said they were calling upon a solicitpr, but knocked at the wrong door. " I don't know how I got here, but I think I was looking through the door when the constable grabbed me, and I came in." "I came here to leave a message." " I saw Toomey <f>ming in, and so I followed him." " I was going home to (lunch." " I know nothing; only the constable pulled me in and said ' You're fixed.' " " Just came up for a drink at the water tap." These and other answers were given to the sergeant in reply tip his question. One man's excuse was " that he came into find out what won at Feilding." Towards the end the atmosphere became very close, and one of the " innocents " caused a laugh when he exclaimed, " This is horrible; I'm going to get. out," which was easier said than done. The first to arrive at Twohill's, in Coombes's Arcade, was a young man who explained that he had called for a jug. He was followed by an individual of cherubic countenance, who walked cheerfully into the trap on the constable's invitation "to come right in." A sad-faced Chinaman with a large number of useless totalisator tickets telling a story of ill-luck at the previous day's races, was the next arrival. He remarked plaintively that he had to catch a 4 o'clock boat for Tauranga, but he brightened up when his turn came to be searched, even permitting himself to smile drowsily when the sergeant stared blankly at a number of pa/Dens covered with Chinese characters. Two elderly men, who treated the proceedings philosophically, followed, and then came a Maori, who was inclined to be violent, and threatened to make startling disclosures about the police if he were not immediately released. Sergeant Bird appeared to have no fear for the reputation of the force, however, and he sent him out occasionally (under custody) to clear the atmosphere. The party was just ready to join the motor cars for the police station when a knock sounded on the door, accompanied by the question, in a big voice, "Are you there, Dan?" The doorjsvas opened to admit a man formerly very well known as a "bookmaker. , He treated the affair as an outrage, and delayed proceedings by insisting on the long warrant being read. His protests availed him nothing, however, and he accompanied the party in the motor car.