RECORD SWOOP.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1410, 10 April 1912, Page 5

RECORD SWOOP.

BY THE AUCKLAND POLICE-' GAMING ACT,' SOME EIGHTY ARRESTS MADE. , THREE WOMEN TAKEN, UNWONTED SCENE AT STATION. (By Telegraph.-Special Correspondent.) Auckland, April 1). Between 2.30 and 3 o'clock this afternoon four detachments of police under Sub-Inspector Jlendry, Senior-Sergeant M'lvinnon, Sergeant Ferguson (of tho Waterfront I'olice), and Sergeant Bird, simultaneously raided the premises occupied by John Ryan, billiard ailoon-kcepor (Vulcan Lane), Robert Porter, and Charles Taylor (Coombes's Arciule), "Lofty" Richards, and John Weston (British Buildings), and Daniel Twohill (Coombes's Arcade), and detained all persons therein on' charges of being found in common gaming-houses. It is fairly well known that, although the introduction of gaming legislation some two years ago made tho bookmakers' business illegal, a number of men who were formerly licenced still carry on flourishing businesses. There appears to be a section of tho racing public who prefer to do their business through a private agent rather than per medium of tho legalised totalizator. The person who has littlo to invest possibly finds it a difficult matter to raise tho .£] necessary to purchase a ticket on the totalisafor, and the bookmaker, who is willing to accept anything from half-a-crown upwards, and possibly offer more attractive odds, proves a convenient betting agent. Planning the Raids, Since Sergeant Ferguson took charge of tho Auckland Waterfront Police ho has noticed n great deal of suspicious occurrences going on about the wharves and other places. It is understood' that the rinds made this afternoon were the outcouio of many weeks of careful investigation, and that a great deal of information has broil collected. In the police opinion this informal ion has been sufficient to warrant them in making (he raids. Even the Reporter Was Seized. To the passer-by in tho vicinity of Coombes's Arcade, Vulcan Lane,' and theatre Lane, just prior to the raids, there was nothing to indicate that there was anything of an unusual nature nfoot. Business appeared to be going on as usual in the premises which wero to bo disturbed, a low minutes later, by the entry of the large bodies of polico which suddenly majo their appearance. Everything in connection with the raid was carried out very quietly. Tho arrangements were evidently complete in every detail, and .13 tho four raids were made nt precisely the same moment, there wns no possibility of any warning being given to tho occupants of any one of the premises of the raids ou the others.

A "Star" reporter climbed iho stairs to tin , rooms occupied by "Lofty" Richards, and, halting at the door, a subdued murmur could plainly be heard. Knowing that ,i trap had been set, li-e walked hesitatingly away for a few steps, and then back to tho door, and, after a pause, timidly knocked. That was enough. Tho door immediately flew open, and out pounced two detectives. The poor pressman was firmly gripped by each arm, and whisked into the room, tho door being quickly closed behind him. Naturally, having got so far, ho thought that lie would wait a moment or two and take filings in before disclosing what an innocent person he really was. A Lady Detained With Others. The room was filled with men, about thirty being present, ami, at the table, sit mi unfortunate lady. Before her was piled a littlo heap of gold, which the police had taken from her, nud, all over the tnble, were other heaps of gold, notes, and silver. Altogether there must havo been hundreds of pounds on that little oflico table, and, as each man present was in turn searched, (he pile was added to at the rate of about one pound a minute. Fresh arrivals also were being steadily caught in tho net. There would come a knock at the door, and then in would pop an amazed person, firmly in the grasp of the law's officers. Ho would bo lined up with the others to wait his turn to be searched, and presently relieved of his property. When these people recovered from their amazement their remarks were frequently the reverse of complimentary. Production of Handcuffs Silenced Him. One well-known citizen in particular was very angry at what had bofallen Mm, and, in loud, heated tones, complained of his arrest. A request by the police officer that ho should ho quiet only aroused his indignation, and there was'a danger that his loud-spoken protests would searo awny other callers. Tho production of the "irons" silenced him, and Sergeant Ferguson, who was working in his shirt sleeves counting (.ho piles of gold, stated for the information of all present that it was hoped that the business would ba carried through in an orderly fashion, ns there was no desire to handcuff anyone. Most of those present took tho position philosophically, and laughed at tho discomfiture of each fresh arrival as lie was placed under nrrest. When the "Star" man came up for search lie presented his bona fides, and then hurried back to tho office. Raid No. 2—Ryan's Billiard Rooms. Just about a quarter past two Sub-In-spector Hendry, accompanied by four or five constables, all in plain clothes, walked slowjy up Vulcan Lane from Queen Street. They proceeded right through to High Street, stopped at the corner for a moment or two, were joined by more constables, anil then returned more briskly, entering Ryan's billiard-room straight aivay. Immediately tho doors were closed, and further exit or entrance was barred. A brief survey of the billiard room, about a quarter of an hour later, revealed to a "Star" rcporler (before hn wns gently persuaded to leave) some twenty or thirty nie-n sitting aloiis the seat .it one side of tho room. A pile of books and jmicre on ono corner of the billiard table indicated that a search Uml been made of at least sonic pockeK and two or three constables were even then conducting a further search of coats, etc., belonging to inmates of the room, At the time of the raid great interest was taken in the billiard room by those having business or othor interests in Vulcan Lane, and considerable entertainment was derived from watching tho astonished expressions of those not "in tho know" who went innocently along to try to get in. The inmates of tho billiard room could not lie identified in tho short time available for a rapid glance round by one vjlio wished still to retnin his freedom. The Third Swoop. Amidst the long rows of offices in Coombos's Arcade are several suspected shops, and here also the police wero successful in securing a great many arrests in accordance with their scheme of wholesale action. The reporter who followed the police into this institution had not got out at the. lime I he "Star" went to press. Police Van Breaks Down. The raiding constables, who were all in plain clothes, made their initial calls about '2 p.m., and, having broken tho news of liieir mis'lon to the proprietors, took over tlie control cf the subsequent proccediiißs. They simply assumed that everybody , who came established prima tncic evidence against himself. Tho man knocked, was admitted, and, what is more, he was in some cases admitted with all Ilin insistence of n strung arm, and imspitalilv nver-rpnchwl itself in the way in which' lie wn< not iillmvoi! In 10.-ivp. In oilier en J i's visitor's wnr« advised to gii away, and only if they insisted on cnti'rins were Ihcv placed under arrest. The "Bl.'irk Maria was ciillml into um lo take a batch nf thoso nrrosted on tlie premises n>. Vuicnn Lan? tn Hio Police PtftUne. By this Umo t.bg lniiQ wa'i thronged jv.iuj yeoj?lo, oaj« .irftk ourlo-.

sity to learn the catiße of all the ooi2. As the prison van left the lane with 1 nil board including ten prisoners and urnr constable.,, several of those in the crowd rcnigiu-cd n number of persons arrested, and .wilt up a mighty cheer as the van departed.pursuing it.s way along Üburg Mreet All went well with tho van until Wollesley Street wns reached. Hero, through the unaccustomed loud one of the traces broke as the vehicle was turning Hie corner of Albert I'arft tliat leads to the station. The passengers had to dismount and walk through the pouring rain-a distance of about 50 yards. _ 1 hus ended a most micomfortable drive. Most of (he prisoners were taken to the Police fetation hi a taxi-cab belonging o one of them, this vehicle ninlrinY rO . pealed trips, . h Lady Who "Called to See a Dressmaker." ne'etin!', 0 W 'H° l l\ m i,lcillo " ts - 1" connection with the arrests of tho three women who found themselves unetnccUdlv in tic toils was one who a eTcd ve V eto.itly, (,at she had come to see a dressmaker. It was true that there wa, a drc.ssin.iker not far away, but she could not remember her name. Tho best e• - fis«\r H eh f 0 T W i C,Hlcr of llor ho " a ides «ns that, when sho was asked what had iron tho big race, she declared that ehe knew nothing of racing, but tho search betrayed her. Her >nnocent little bag Ka i VC } K ?-S" a ?'" 1" ,, , '"stead of a dressmaker s bill, there lay in it certain tickets that had very obvious connection with hopes that had run in races. Her plea did not look so well after the discovery. Wedding Party Kept Waiting. An excuse that seems to have served several men was that they were looking tor the lavatory. A quick-witted person who came suddenly into one of vliordices' spied a pair of glasses hanging on tlie wall, and he <l«Vu«d that, having R-lt them there the day before, he had called lor them, but whether the story was true or not, the pohco expressed their doubts and persuaded tho man to stay Hard fortune attended the driver of a motor-car. Hβ vowed that ho had to drive a wedding party somewhere at three n clock, and he pictured tho distress of the guests, and tho worry of the bride, but tho law took m> lu-cd. Another man, who had left a vehicle was a carter. When he was arrested his distress was evident. "They've got mo both ways, - he said. "If fin kept here }•> t H1 ?.f 01 " leavi "S "'J' uii't unattended. Luckily for him, some kiiullv person iound tho cart with a small child in rather nervous command, and tent it home. Record Raid for New Zealand. Tho raid was, in point of the number of prisoners taken, the biggest, or one of the biggest, ever effected in New Zealand. Tho largo number of prisoners taxed tlie police station to the utmost, and it was not long before the watchhouse was insufferably hot. It was soon almost'impossible to camon formalities in the restricted mkicc, anil the whole huge party was conducted in an official and orderly manner to the gymnasium of the force. In this impromptu court the justices saw (he prisoners and signed their bail bonds.

Tug-of-War in Police Gymnasium. The victims of the vigilance of the law were apparently quite happy, ami it was not Jong before tho air of athleticism proper to a Rood gymnasium appealed to thrai, and they forthwith picked sides, tailed on to n long rope, and had a tug-oi-war. Nobody knows who won,- and nobody knows whether the men who were arrested made side bets on the event. If the ruling spirit were strong enough to conquer the influence of legal authority its voice was very still and small, and no money changed hands.

Tried to Save his Friend. It was natural that some at least of the captured ones should try to warn others approaching, and in one ease a man called out to a visitor to go away if he valued ins liberty. The new-comer at once used his best efforts to leave, font a constable wnvlaid him while still on the premises, and brought him back. Most of tho men took the affair very philosophically, and seemed rather to enjoy the discomfiture of those, freshly added to .their ranks. The women were the most distressed. AMUSING INCIDENT. "HALF SOV. OX MASTERPIECE." (By Tolezranh.—Press Association.) Auckland, April !). An amusing incident took place in the office of one of tho places raided. \ burlv sergeant was sitting at the table when "a middle-aped woman entered with the "utmost confidence. It is understood that she walked up to the sergeant and put a halfsovereign on the table, saying: "Half a sov. on Masterpiece, please." "Right, I'll take ii," said the sergeant, and he put the money in his pocket." The ladv was much surprised when she was enlightened by the sergeant as to his identity. "Oh," she remarked amidst confusion, "I thought you were a partner of tho firm." The sergeant concerned has a sportsmanlike appearance, but whether he felt complimented or otherwise by the remark has not been elicited. About Eighty Arrests. When all the persons found on the promises in question, tosether with the alleged principals, had been taken to the police station, it wiss found that in all nrarlv eighty had been arrested. They worn brought before justices, who let them out on bail. Tho alleged principals were released upon a bond of ,Cil)0 each, and those found on the prenii.-os in bonds of ,£lO each. All will appear in court tomorrow, when it is probable that an adjournment will be asked for. Other Particulars. Sub-Inspector Hendry, assisted bv SerRcant O'tindy, Detective Scott, and nine constables, headed the raid on liynn's billiard-saloon. A largo number of men were found on the premises, and others came in later. In all about 25 persons we.ro here placed under arrest, besides tlie owner of the establishment. After the doors were secured, all the men on the premises were searched with the object of obtaining documentary evidence of betting. Some tool: objection to being searched, whilst others l)ega_!i to make excuses for being on tho premises, but, with the exercise of soino taci, the police convinced those present of the necessity of a search being conducted, and they then submitted with as good a grace as possible under the circumstances. While the police were in charge of the premises several nersons knocked at Ihe door, and demanded admittance. They were told that they eould not come, in uy the plain clothes constables at (ho door, but (hey were persistent. "What rot!" some of them exclaimed, "we must go in." Others made use of stronger expressions, and their desire to gain admission was gratiliod, but their regret at tho circumstance was strongly depicted on their faces when, they "wore promptly placed under arrest as k result of their persistency. The premises of Taylor and Porter, in Coombes's Arcade, were visited by Senior-Sergeant M'lunnon, and three constables.. There was no incident of any note, to record, but tho owners of tho premises and six other persons were arrested. All the books on tho premises were seized. Sergeant Bird and two constables raided tho premises of Daniel Twohill in Coombes's Arcade. Tho occupier and thirteen others, including n woman, were placed under arrest, and tho usual search wns made. Sergeant Ferguson wns in chargo ■ f tho raid on Westou and liichards's premises in tho British Buildings. The two priuoipals and 25 others were arrested.