COURT SITS AT MIDNIGHT

Southland Times, Issue 23047, 14 November 1936, Page 8

COURT SITS AT MIDNIGHT

RAID IN AUCKLAND DETECTIVES ARREST 69 MEN i (United Press Association.) Auckland, November 13. A surprise raid by nine detectives on the Auckland National Club in Swanson street late tonight resulted in the capture of 67 men who will appear before the Court at midnight charged with breaches of the Gaming Act. The Central Police Station will constitute the Court. The raid was responsible for the largest “bag” ever captured by a single raiding party in Auckland. Detectives gathered outside the club and one of them stationed himself at the main door and immediately arrested the door keeper. The other eight detectives clambered up the fire escape and climbed through the card room window on the third floor. The room was empty, and the party passed through it and along the passage to a billiard room where men were playing a number of games. As soon as the police entered there was a rush for a window overlooking the light well. Three men squeezed themselves past the others and dropped 18 feet on to the corrugated iron roof of an outhouse below. One fell almost into the arms of Detective Bradley, who was stationed below, but the others managed to escape. The remainder of the men in the club were captured.