£228 IN FINES.

Hokitika Guardian, 14 June 1927, Page 4

£228 IN FINES.

[by TELFGRArn PER TRESS ASSOCIATION. [ GAMBLING HOUSE RAID. AUCKLAND. June 13. Tho total of the fines imposed as tho outcome of the detectives’ raid on Frederick "William Batchelor’s gymnasium and boxing school, was two hundred and twenty-eight pounds. Chief Detective Cummings said the police had knowledge that the gymnasium was being used as a gambling house for tho last two months and that gambling was indulged in principally on Saturday night and on Sunday afternoons and nights. The premises had been kept under observation for some tinun

''Such premises where gambling is indulged in would soon become a menace in town,” said Defective Cummings, “particularly when married men with families went there and gambled with their money. If the owners of premises do not keep better supervision over the people to whom they rent their premises, then the Department will have to seriously consider charging them too.” However, there was no drunkenness in the gaining house, and not one man showed signs of having had any liquor. Batchelor was at the door and tho rest of the men were playing “hazards” when the detectives entered tiie room. Last week, he said, a serious assault was emnmiUed in the gymnasium, when a man who it was alleged, resorted to some sharp practices, was put cut of the room.

The Chief Detective suggested each man should he dealt with separately,

as many of them were previously “known” to the police. “There .is one thing about Batchelor and his assistant,” said the Magis-

trate. "They never told any untruths, and admitted everything frankly.”

Batchelor, charged with keeping a common gaming house, was lined £OO. or two months’ imprisonment and was ordered to pay £7 as police expenses. While David Kinmn. charged with assisting in the management of Urn bouse, was fined £3O. plus £3 police expenses, in default six weeks’ imprisonment. Of the men charged with being, found on the premises, twenty-three were fined live pounds each; .'three, four pounds each; three, tbree pounds each; and one, two pounds. Detective Cummings applied for an order to confiscate the money and the gaming implements found on the premises. 'lbis was made, Mr McKean, R.M., remarking that only 10s in money was seized. This, lie thought, was a small sum. “T’m afraid quite a lot of grabbing took place when we entered the room,” said the Chief Detective.