VISITORS FROM SYDNEY.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1460, 28 January 1886, Page 3

VISITORS FROM SYDNEY.

A gang of raagamen and convicted thieves who recently visited Auckland from Sydney have lately been doing Wellington. It appears Detective Toohay warned them they would have to quit Auckland at once, and he so worked upon their fears that they at once took ship in the s.s. Oreti at Onehunga, for Wanganui,'booking themselves as a company of performing athletes. T h ey evidently regarded Wanganui as an unlikely field for their operations, as they left that place on the morning following their arrival by train for Foxton, where they attended the races which were being held last week. Their paraphernalia was most elaborate, and included tents and poles, a roulette table, trick mutch boxes, and other articles required for carrying on systematic swindling on racecourses, etc. Nemesis, in the persons of the police, followed the unhallowed party from Auckland, and at Foxton they were warned to desist from playing by Constable McNaughty, who was successful in moving them on to Wellington, where they arrived on Saturday morning last. Theyjost no time in town, but proceeded straight to the Island Bay racecourse where they made about £SO at the “ three card trick” before the police were on the ground. From one man they made £3 in as many minutes, and this innocent it was who laid the detectives on to the gang, the members of which, disliking the presence of their natural enemies the “police,” made for town after the first race. They were tracked to an hotel in the city, the proprietor of which was made acquainted with the character of his guests, who were warned they would be locked up under the Vagrant Act if they did not engage in honest pursuits or clear out. One of the party took the hint and and left for Wairarapa, and the remainder intimated their intention of proceeding either South or to the West Coast of the Middle Island by the first steamer. A second contingent of these questionable persons is expected to arrive at Wellington from Sydney direct, and the police are on the alert for them.