“TWO-UP” SCHOOL.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLI, Issue 2042, 16 October 1919, Page 1

“TWO-UP” SCHOOL.

EXCITEMENT AT CASTLECLIFF. A SUCCESSFUL STRATAGEM, (From the Chronicle.) On Sunday the police successfully raided the “two-up” school at Castlediff, and in due course about forty of the “scholars” will be prosecuted.' The school at Castleclift has been in existence for a considerable time, and evidently, judging by the usual attendance, it was one of the most popular institutions of the marine Suburb. The site was in a depression near the public schools, a secluded spot behind some pine trees, which was cleverly hidden from public gaze. POLICE LAY THEIR PLANS. Although the “two-up” school was practically a by-word, the police were faced with great difficulties in dealing with the problem, as the school—when the “scholars” were at play—was guarded by (he posting of sentries on tin 1 vantage points around. As a fnatler of fact the “school” was regarded by the pupils as impregnable against attack, at least successful attack, as any raid on orthodox lines would be signalled iiqadvance. by the outposts and the reaching of the inner circle would only have meant finding a friendly group discussing the vagaries of the weather, the merits of Poilrel and Gloaming, or the approaching amalgamation of (he borough with Gonville, Several months ago the locality was carefully reconnoilered by the police, and it was decided to build two dug-outs, one close to the playing ring. This work was carried out stealthily at night, and-great care was taken to dispose.-of the debris excavated. When" the dug-outs were completed a watch was set on the school, and for several Sundays past the police have been in their hiding plac-es-watching the play and photographing the players as opportunity permitted. It was the practice of a couple of the local police force to go to Castiecliff early'on a Sunday morning, and secrete themselves. Usually the school sprang into life about 2 pan., the scouts would be posted, and two-up would be in full swing for the rest of-the afternoon. And when the shades of darkness fell and the school was over for the day, the “inspectors” would silently emerge and return home. THE BETTER ’OLE. Yesterday the police decided to spring the (rap. In “The Belter ’Ole” —this was (ho name facetiously given to the dug-out: that was nearest the ring—Constables Farnworth and Wainhouse were secreted, the scenery in the way of flowering broom around the entrance being carefully arranged by DetectiveSergeant Hollis, who took up quarters in-the second dug-out, with Constable McMullan some distance away. During the morning time hung heavy oiv’the hands of the watchers, although one of the constables found solace in reading a book, a somewhat difficult operation in a dim light. Lunch also had its disadvantages, as (he sand found its wav into the eatables.

As on the previous Sundays, the school started to gather about 2 pan. There was neither an opening roll call nor the ringing of! a hell. -Three scouts were placed on commanding spots around, and the “scholars" started to play. The game “heading 'em’’ went on merrily, while (lie police, with such ha'ndy incidentals as Held glasses, a camera, and notebooks, made a careful record of the attendance of 27 players, AN UXSEFX AUDTENChi. The.two watchers in “The Belter ’Ole” heard all the conversation that went on. On one occasion several players came and stood right heside the dug-out, and one casually remarked: “tSay the cops come?” A,.companion replied: “They’ve got to catch you with the kip before the can do anything.” But mostly the discussion was on the game, and the throwers usually prefaced the “chuck” with the remark “Up she goes.” “Where will I throw thenr?” inquired a kip holder on one occasion. “Try and put them up into the bird’s nest on the tree,” said another enthusiast, who was hacking evens. “Four straight tails and not a bet,” be added, as the “browns” came back to earth. GOOD TOSS, DICK. Just about four o’clock the police made their presence known. About £7 was in the ring, and the “scholar’’ with the kip had given the pennies- a particularly high upward flight. “Good toss that, Dick,” saidConstable Wainhouse. stopping out of his dug-out. At his heels came Constable Farnwortli, who took a final snap with a camera. The school brok<s* up, in the wildest con-

fusion, and as the scholars hurried for home —us scholars should when they get out of school —the majority of them ran into Detective-Serge-ant Hollis and Constable McMullan, who had also vacated their dug-out. One ileeing scholar was inclined to he corpulent, and was scant of breath. As he passed in headlong flight the detective remarked' pleasantly, by way of recognition, “Don’t hurry, Ginger, we got a lovely photo of you,” But “Ginger” tarried not, and when last seen he was still going. Sonic of (he scholars showed fair sprinting ability, and it was quite evident . that the whole 27 ran up to their best form. Two came into collision and fell, and' another, who had the misfortune to trip over a tin can, accepted the situation in philosophical mood, and remarked that it was “a fair cop.” A few of the. players realised that it was an occasion when safety did not lie in (light, and accepted the situation with the stoical (“aim that marks the average two-up player. They were a bit chagrined that the police had outwitted them, but were inelhied to take it in stood part. One Was evidently the.victim of misfortune, which he expressed with the words: “By , 1 am unlucky. It's me iirst trip down here, and up 1 go.” The sequel to this enterprising raid will be a held day ai tin? Magistrate’s Court at an early dale. Quite a number of photographs have to be developed, and they will probably form a strong link in the evidence that will be tendered..