SUPPRESSION OF GAMBLING.

Pelorus Guardian and Miners' Advocate., Volume 8, Issue 29, 9 April 1907, Page 5

SUPPRESSION OF GAMBLING.

RAID ON TATTERSALL’S AGENCY. With reference to recent cables stating that strong efforts were being made in Victoria to prohibit the sale of tickets in lattcrsall’s “ sweeps.” the following account from the Melbourne Lender of a raid on one of the agencies will prove of interest A definite move in the direction of testing the power of the new Gaming Act in suppressing the operations of those who are evading its_ provisions by working upon technical points and terms has been made by the police, acting on instructions from the Ciown haw authorities. The Gaming Act, if was thought when made law, would effectually suppress the distribution of Tallersali s consultation tickets, but as a matter of f ’.ct it did nothing of the sort, for the promoters of the consultations simply altered their mode of distribution, and instead of selling tickets sold a newspaper called " Sporting and Dramatic Chat " at 5s qd per copy, and each subset iber received a ticket for a Tattersall’s consultation at the address he had given as a subscriber for the paper.

Acting under instructions cf Superintendent Sainsbury, Detectives Manning, Carey, and Lonsdale recently visited No. 97 Queen Street (the oilice of the Tasmanian Parcels Express and Delivery Company), and applied for tickets in Tatlersall’s sweeps, They were told by a youth behind the counter to apply for a copy of the “ Sporting and Dramatic Chat,” and for the purpose were supplied with.blank'forms to fill up, with name, address, amount of subscription, and an agreement to call for the piapcr, This the detectives did, and in a week's time each received a ticket in Tattersail’s sweep on the Australian Cup, and later received the draw. Official inquiries were then made in Tasmania with a view of connecting the tickets received with Taltcrsall's, and concerning other matters necessary to the production of evidence, and a report was made out and submitted to Superintendent Sainsbury, who forwarded it through the Chief Commissioner of Police to the Chief Secretary. The matter was referred to Mr J. G. Duffy, K.C., who stated that in his opinion the circumstances justified the issue of a warrant to search the premises at 97 Queen Street, seize any incriminating documents and other evidence, and proceed against the occupants under the Gaming and Lottery Act. As the result of this Detective Sergeant M'Manamny applied to Mr Panton, P M,, for a warrant, which the Police Magistrate issued.

Sergeant M'Manamny, with Detectives Lonsdale and Carey, then went to 97 Queen Street and arrested Leslie King, aged 17, the youth who had taken the money and the applications for newspapers from the detectives, While they were there the Manager of the establishment, Mr Charles Schultze, came in, and in his presence the place was searched. A number of documents were seized, and also the sum of £230 in cash. The boy was charged with receiving money for the purpose of being forwarded to the promoters of an illegal lottery, to wit, Tattersall’s, between sth and 14th February. The boy was at once bailed out. He said he had done everything under the direction ot Mr Schultze. The case is exciting great interest.