GANG MURDER.

Star (Christchurch), Volume LXIV, Issue 885, 5 October 1933, Page 5

GANG MURDER.

Gambling Dispute May Have Been Motive. THREAT. OF EXPOSURE? (Special to the "Star.”) MELBOURNE, October 4. Behind the brutal murder of James John, twenty-five, labourer, near his home, in Gore Street, Fitzroy, early on Friday, is said to be the use of the double-headed penny. The shooting of John, and, it is alleged, another shooting, arose from gambling disagreements. One of the men who the police believe could help them considerably in their inquiries is a “ king-pin ” among petty gamblers. His principal stock-in-trade is the double-headed penny. Ilis domain is the large circle of twoup schools in Melbourne, which range from a room in the city, which was the starting point of another shooting case, to those on the swamp wastes of Dudley Street, West Melbourne, and the Port Melbourne and Garden city areas. It is alleged that a threat of exposure to the police by two of his victims led the man, who is noted for his quick temper, to seek revenge. The man was seen in the city fifteen minutes before the Fitzroy shooting, when he visited a night-club. Then he drove away in a taxi. Since John was shot detectives have interviewed more than a score of men, many of whom are believed to know the identity of the murderer. But they have refused to speak. Three detectives, assisted by local plainclothes men, are working on the case. They are concentrating upon the city and inner suburbs, and believe that it will be only a matter bf time before the murderer, who. they say, is known to them, is arrested. Their inquiries, however. cover a wide field. So well organised is the circle of two-up “ white fan-tan ” and other gaming 4 ‘ schools ” that large waggons to transport players, stools and carpets, to safe places, are sometimes used to evade the gaming squad.