GAMING HOUSE RAID.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXVII, Issue 5015, 18 August 1926, Page 2

GAMING HOUSE RAID.

POLICE ACTION AT TE AROHA*

SEVEN MEN ARRESTED. The Te Aroha police have long suspected that certain premises in Whitaker Street were used for gambling purposes-, and on Saturday last (states the “News”) a carefully planned raid was ma.de, as a result of which seven men were arrested on various charges connected with gambling. About a fortnight ago a young man came to Te Aroha and put up at Te Aroha House, where he mingled with the boarders and made himself fairly popular. He had serious business on hand, but in his careless, happy-go-lucky manner no hint was even' given olfl this. He was on such good terms with some of his fellow boarders-, and so successfully did he camouflage his identity, that no restraint was exercised in conversing with him. He was familiarly addressed as “Scotty.” From his conversation it might have been supposed that he had a penchant for horse racing, and that it was customary for him to have an Occasional bet with the bookmakers. Hb, was regarded about town by those who met him as a real good fellow. He- had a great fondness for billiard saloons. He was often seen a,t Jackson’s. Billiard Parlour. In fact, he was there; every day, and mixed with all and sundry. He appeared to be keenly interested in snooker and pool, and participated in games from time to time, and it is believed that he ma.de an occasional bet while in the room, The young man proved to be Constable Murray, of Hamilton. The raid had been carefully planned. The police, believing that a great deal of gambling was going oh in Te Aroha, applied for a, warrant to search the premises occupied by David Jackson and Robert Buddicom, and on Saturday the warrant was executed by Senior-Siergeant Mac Lean (Waihi), Constables Mons.on a.nd Barnes (Te Aroha), Constable Olsen (Waihi), and Constable McClihchy (Paeroa). The police were divided into two parties. At 11.30 the officers from Waihi, led by Senior-Sergeant MacLepn, arrived in front of the premises by motor-car, and simultaneously Constables Monson and Baynes, arrived on -fobt. Without delay the premises were entered. A special duty had been assigned to each man, and no one on.’the premises was allowed to get away until he had been interrogated or searched. The premises were locked as the police entered, and no one whs allowed in until the pollice haA completed their work. Among those in the billiard saloon was, “Scotty.” He was asked roughly, in the presence of the Other unlucky- patrons, what he was doing there. “I’m not doing any ha'ipn,” he whined, “I’m jus.t having a game of billiards.” .

On searching -the office a considerable amount of literature of the class used by bookmakers was found, including race cards and double charts,. These with certain books were seized. While the police were making their search one of them noticed Buddicom hand something to Mana Toma, a native. This proved to be a roll of notes and cheques. Those ‘arrested were : — David Jackson, charged with having been, between August'3 and August 14, the owfaer and occupier of certain premises, which premises, were kept open or used as a common gaming house and were commonly known and believed toi be such. Robert Buddicom, charged with assisting in the management of a common gaming house, known as . Jackson’s Billiard Parlour. Harold Richard Rundle, retired farmer, charged with assisting in the management of a common gaming ;house. Alfred Lowndes, lessee Of the portion of the premises used as a hairdressing saloon, chaiged with assisting in the management Of a common gaming house. Three men were charged With having been found on-premises used as a gammon gaming house—Phil Manning, Mana Toma, and Aubrey Delaney. The last-named was found in the office when the polie’c arrived. All were brought before Mr R. Coulter, J.P., op Saturday afternoon, and were remanded till next Friday, bail being fixed as follows: Jackson, self £lo'o and one surety o® £lOO ; Buddicom, self £2OO and one surety of £2OO ,' Rundle, self £lOO and one surety of £lOO ; Lowndes, self £lOO and one surety of £lOO. Ln each of the other cases bail was fixed at the nominal sum of £5.