EXTENSIVE GAMBLING

Taranaki Daily News, 16 October 1935, Page 7

EXTENSIVE GAMBLING

CONSTABLE PARTICIPATES

SCHOOL CONDUCTED AT AUCKLAND

ELABORATE PRECAUTIONS TAKEN.

MEN IN CHARGE HEAVILY FINED.

By Telegraph—Press Association.

Auckland, Last Night.

Unknown to those in charge, a policeman paid four visits to an Auckland gambling school last July and took part in games of hazards, two-up and faro. The story of tire precautions taken to prevent, strangers from entering the school, known as the Auckland National Club, and of the elaborate system of warning bells was told to Mr. F. K. Hunt, S.M., in the Police Court to-day. Percy Gallagher was charged that, being the occupier of premises in Swanson Street, he knowingly and wilfully permitted such premises to be used as a common gaming house. A second man, Boss Facoory, was charged with assisting in conducting the business of a common gaming house. Both men pleaded guilty. Senior-Detective Hall said that about the middle of July a constable came to Auckland for the purpose of detecting gambling. He made the acquaintance of a man and on July 18 he went to Swanson Street about 10.30 p.m. The door of the premises y was locked and the place was in darkness. “They waited in an alleyway opposite for about a-quarter of an hour,” continued the senior-detective. “Three other men joined them. A light was switched on and the door was opened. The five men went in after the constable had been vouched for by his friend. They went up to the top floor, where they saw a notice, ‘Auckland National Club. Members only.’ A door- was unlocked and the men went through a lounge into a large room where there were two billiard tables and about 30 men.

“Facoory was at the centre of a table, acting as a croupier. Hazards and twoup were being played, and the constable stayed there until about 2.30 a.m. Bets of £1 down to 10s were frequently made on the turn-up. Facoory kept dice in the' middle pocket of a billiards table. Men were coming and going. A fruit machine which had been declared illegal was played by several men. “The' windows were heavily draped with black and white curtains. The green baize cloth on the table was marked with numbers and squares. Gallagher appeared to be in charge of the place, and he collected Is from each player every half hour. He also acted as a croupier to relieve Facoory. “Again on July 19 the constable went to the school and stayed from 9.30 until 11.30. Hazards were played and there were about 40 men in the room. The constable visited the premises •on four different occasions. No stranger was allowed .into the place unless he was recommended by one of the regular clients. On one occasion the policeman saw £3O in notes and £5 in silver in front’ of one man.” .

Both men were fined £5O, with the Alternative of three months in ga01.,.