A GOOD HAUL

Southland Times, Issue 20203, 14 June 1927, Page 8

A GOOD HAUL

RAID BY DETECTIVES OVER THIRTY MEN CAUGHT IN GAMING HOUSE FINES TOTAL £228 (Per United Press Association.) Auckland, June 13. The total of the fines imposed as the outcome of a raid by detectives on Frederick William Batchelor’s gymnasium and boxing school was £228. Chief-Detective Cummings said the police had knowledge that the gymnasium was being used as a gambling house for the last two months and that gambling was indulged in, principally on Saturday nights and on Sunday afternoons and nights. The premises had been kept under observation for some time. “Such premises where gambling was indulged in would soon become a menace in the town,” said Detective Cummings, "particularly when married men with families went there and gambled with their money. If the owners of the premises do not keep better supervision over people to whom they rent their premises, then the Department will have to seriously consider charging them too.” However, there was no drunkenness in the gaming house and not one man showed signs of having had any liquor. Batchelor was at the door and the rest of the men were playing hazards when the detectives entered the room last week. A serious assault was committed in the gymnasium when a man who, it was alleged, resorted to some sharp practices, was put out of the room. The Chief-Detective suggested that each man should be dealt with separately as many of them were previously “known” to the police. "There is one thing about Batchelor and his assistant,” said the Magistrate. "They never told any untruths and admitted everything frankly.” Bathelor was charged with keeping a common gaming house. He was fined £6O or two months’ imprisonment and ordered to pay £7 as police expenses, while David Simon, charged with assisting in the management of the house, was fined £3O plus £3 police expenses in default six weeks’ imprisonment. Of the men charged with being found on the premises, 23 were fined £5 each, three £4 each, three £3 each and one £2. Detective Cummings applied for an order to confiscate the money and gaming implements found on the premises. This was made, Mr McKean remarking that only 16/- in money was seized. This he thought was a small sum. “I’m afraid quite a lot of grabbing took place when we entered the room,” said the Chief-Detective.