POLICE RAIDS

Hokitika Guardian, 12 May 1930, Page 1

POLICE RAIDS

GAMING HOUSE CHARGES. Following a raid by Sergt. King and staff on Saturday afternoon on the Revell street premises of J. L. Turner, fruiter, the police charged John L. Turner that being the occupier of premises in Revell street he did use them as a common gaming house, and Margaret Turner was charged with assisting in same. The charges were heard by Mr T. W. Duff J.P., at the Police Station, a remand being granted to May 17th, bail of £SO each being allowed and forthcoming. The news of the raid caused a lot of discussion in the town on Saturday evening, interest "being enchanted by the nows tlmt similar raids had been made at Greymouth and Westport. * ACTIVITIES AT GREYMOUTH. (Grey Argus). The news that the police were showing an absorbing interest in two Greymouth premises was not long in circulating, and a large crowd had soon gathered to occupy available vantage points to witness the lesulb of the official investigations. After some three-quarters of an hour, the wait was rewarded when seventeen men were shepherded to the street by a small body of policemen from one point, and another street, two men and ohe member of the fair sex were escorted to the station. There the Magistrate’s Court was opened before Mr J. Tennei.t, J.P., at which, the following charges were laid : 1). McCarthy, on or about May 10, being the occupier of premises in Boundary Street, did use same as a common gaming house. P. Stewart, being the occupier of premises in Albert Street on or about May 10, did use same as a common gaming house; also that he did assist in conducting the business off a common gaming house. J. Hefferman, on or about May 10, that he did assist in conducting the business of a common gaming house. Seventeen others were charged with being found on premises used as a common gaining house. Bail was allowed to McCarthv n*nd Stewart each on a surey of and to Hefferman on a surety of U 25. Bail was allowed to the others in £5. The case will be heard on Monday next, May 19th at the Court House. The raids were made simultaneously. entrances being effected to premises at-3.30 p.m. Senior Sergeant Roach conducted the search of MeCnrthv’s rooms, and Sergeant Smyth that of Stewart’s. As yet it is not 1 known whether the visits substantiated the suspicion of the authoriteies.