ALLEGED TWO-UP SCHOOL.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLII, Issue 2218, 21 December 1920, Page 2

ALLEGED TWO-UP SCHOOL.

ON THE TARGET RESERVE

RAID BY POLICE,

I( is common knowledge that a. uvu-up school him been in progress for some time past i» Eoxton, which Ims atlrnetod a fair number of' “scholars” on Sundays, but it appears that owing to a belief that so long as the game is not carried on in a, “public place” within the meaning of the Act, the votaries considered themselves -without the law. The "rendezvous is well back from the public road, through a jungle of lupin, and overlooked by a lupincovered sand ridge. - Quite a seclud-

ed spot. Constables Owen and O’Donoghue decided to make investigations on Sunday afternoon. They did not seek the beaten (rack, hut made a detour through the lupin, and cautiously wormed (heir way to the top of the ridge, from which vantage point they were ably to get: a good view of the operations beneath them, while screened from view by the lupins. About 40 individuals were assembled' round the ring, either participating or as interested spectators. After taking copious notes of (lie proceedings and names of those present, the officers of the law wended their way by a devious route to the track, where they.met a lad who was carrying liquid temperance gargle to (he thirsty scholars.* The police were hospitably treated to refreshing draughts after their somewhat thirst-provoking exertions and vigil, and the lad beat a retreat with

the balance, and promised to “comealong and see the fun.” The appearance of the stalwart: minions of the law effused consternation and flight on the part of the majority. The sound of breaking limber in all directions caught the ear ;is the stampede was in, progress, and an old-lime obstacle race was a fool to the capers cut by some of the scholars in their endeavours to evade detection. Constable Owen’s demeanour was strictly Sabbatarian, and he addressed a few words by way of benediction to those who remained.

The police are reticent as.to the sequel of the raid.

In conversation willi one or two who were present, we are informed that the visit was a clever coup on the part of the police, although they said they were led to believe that provided they “headed 'em” outside a. public place they could not be interfered with. The affair has since been a topic of conversational interest in the community.

ARRESTS AT PETONE

Foi‘ some lime past the police at Petone allege, a Sunday “two-up school” has been held in a denselywooded area above the Petone Kailway Station. • The police have had the neighbourhood, under constant observation, bu(, owing to the vicinity being* encircled by scouts, some of whom were perched in the highest trees, giving a perfect view of all .approaches, it was a matter of utmost difficulty for the police to get even a view of the operations. Preparations were carefully made for a raid on the area on Sunday morning, when seven members of the Petone and hi nit Police Pone, under Senior-Sergeant Bird, at a very early hour, look up positions, and waited for the “school’'’ to open. From 11. a.m. a steady stream of men arrived on the scene, and immediately the pennies began to spin, and the money to change hands. At about 2.30 p.m. the,police emerged from their hiding-places, and made a rush upon Ihe school, the gang immediately dispersing through the dense bush and undergrowth, with the police in ho'i pursuit. They succeeded in arresting nine men, and identified a number of others.

It was evident (says the Post) ilml the “school” was out for the day, as the party was well supplied with sandwiches, bottled beer, and spirits. That the "selum!” was of more than loeal importance was evidenced by the fadl that on arrival of an afternoon (rain from Wellington, after the raid had’been made, about forty men approached the location, but dispersed suddenly when the police were seen.

FIXES OF CIO IMPOSED. As an outcome of the raid made by the police on Sunday afternoon at Ivorokoro (Petono), seven men appeared at the Pcf.one Court yesterday afternoon. The charge laid against them was that of being rogues, ami vagabonds. Senior-Sergeant Bird, who prosecuted, said I hat lie desired to amend the charges so as to bring them within the scope of the Gaming Act, section 8, sub-section 1. This was agreed to by. the Bench, and each defendant was then charged with playing the unlawful game-of “twoup” in the Korokoro bush. The Bench, in giving judgment, said it had been shown that the game had been played in a public . place, and that complaints had been made by residents about being annoyed by men who constituted the ‘‘.school.” The law said the game was an illegal one, and it was the tention of the Court to do its best* to keep the public reserves for the legitimate purposes of the citizens. _

The seven defendants were each convicted and fined £lO, with 7s costs, in default to be imprisoned j for seven days. \