“GAMBLING HELL” IN AUCKLAND.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXV, Issue 2241, 19 November 1907, Page 2

“GAMBLING HELL” IN AUCKLAND.

SOME STARTLING REVELATIONS PATRONS OF ALL CLASSES. THUGS AND PUGILISTS ON STAFF Press Association. AUCKLAND, Nov. 18. Under the heading “An Auckland gambling hell,” the Star publishes startling revelations of the existence •in the heart of the city of a den. which, it says, may without exaggeration be compared to the notorious gaffing schools in Sydney and San Francisco. It has been in existence for over three years, open at all hours of the day and night. Its patrons Include men of every calling and stage of life,, men well known in business circles consorting with thieves and spielers. The den is protected by an ingenious system of electric bells against intrusion from outsiders, and in the event of the police gaining entry the place is converted into a gymnasium and boxing ring, pugilists and gloves being ready for such emergency. It is understood that more than one police raid has been rendered nugatory by the means possessed by the establishment of obtlainin when danger threatens. The thugs and pugilists who make lip the staff of tho gambling den find a. fat living. Every hour the manager collects a shilling gas money from every person on the premises. Lucky players are compelled to hand over a fair percentage of their winnings. These sometimes amount to large sums. The losers do not always" take their misfortunes quietly. A young man who found at the end of an all-night game that no had been relieved of a large sum, is said to have have made such good play with a six-shooter that he wias able to leave at 6 o’clock in the morning with the bulk of liis money refunded.