THE RECORD RAID

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 242, 12 April 1912, Page 7

THE RECORD RAID

EIGHTY ARRESTS MADE. WOMEN GAMBLERS. INTERESTING DETAILS. Auckland, April 9. Between 2,30 and 3 o'elock this afternoon four detachments of police under Sub-Inspector Hendry, Senior-Sergeant McKinnon, Sergeant Ferrruson (of the Waterfront Police), and Sergeant Bird, simultaneously raided th: pivmisea occupied by John Ryan, billiard saloonkeeper (Vulcan Lane), Robert Porter and Charles Taylor (Coombes' Arcade), "Lofty" Richards and John Weston (British Buildings), and Daniel Twohill (Coombes' Arcade), and detained all persons therein on charges of being found in common gaming-houses. It is fairly well known that, although the introduction of ganging legislation some two years ago made the bookmakers' business illegal, a number of men wljo were formerly licensed still carry on flourishing businesses. There appears to be a section of the racing public who prefer to do their business through a private agent rather than per medium of the legalised totalisator. The person who has little to invest possibly finds it a difficult matter to raise the £1 necessary to purchase a ticket on the totalisator, and the bookmaker, who is willing to accept anything from half-a-crown upwards, and possibly offer more attractive odds, proves a convenient betting agent, ■ PLANNING THE RAIDS. ."** Since Sergeant Ferguson took charge of the Auckland Waterfront Police he has noticed a great deal of suspicious occurrences going on about the wharves and other places. It is understood that the raids made this afternoon were the outcome of many weeks of careful investigation, and that a great deal of information has been collected. In the police opinion this information has been sufficient to warrant them in making the raids.

REPORTER SEIZED. To the passer-by in the vicinity of Coombes' Arcade, Vulcan Lane and Theatre Arcade, just prior to the raids, there was nothing to indicate that there was anything of an unusual nature afoot. Business appeared to be going on as usual in the premises which were to be disturbed, a few minutes later, by the entry of the large bodies of police which suddenly made their appearance. Everything in connection with the raid was carried out very quietly. The arrangements were evidently complete in every detail, and as the four raids were made at precisely the same moment, there was no possibility of any warning being given to the occupants of any of the premises of the raids on the others.

A Star reporter climbed the stairs to the rooms occcupied by "Lofty" Richards, and, halting at the door, a suliuued murmur could plainly be heard. Knowing that a trap had been set, he walked hesitatingly away for a few steps, and then back to the door, and, after a pause, timidly knocked. That was enough. The door immediately flew open, and out pounced two detectives. The poor pressman was firmly gripped by each arm, and whisked into the room, the door being quickly closed behind) him. Naturally, having got so far, he thought that he would wait a moment or two and take things in before disclosing what an innocent person he really was. A LADY DETAINED. The room was filled with men, about thirty being present, and, at the table, sat an unfortunate lady. Before her was piled'a little heap of gold, which the police had taken from her, and, all over the table, were other heaps of gold, notes and silver. Altogether there must have been hundreds, of pounds pn (hat little office table, and, as each man present was in turn searched, the pile was added to at the rate of about one pound a minute.

Fresh arrivals also wore being steadily caught in the net. There would come a knock at the door, and then in would pop an amazed person, firmly in the grasp of the law's officers. He would be lined up with the others to wait his turn to be searched, and presently relieved of his property. When these people recovered from their amazement their remarks were frequently the reverse of complimentary. PRODUCTION OF HANDCUFFS.

One well-known citizen in particular was very angry at what had befallen him, and, in loud, heated tones, complained of his arrest. A request by the police officer that he should be quiet only aroused his indignation, ;;nd there was a danger that his loud-spoken protests would scare away other callers. The production of the ''irons" silenced him, and Sergeant 'Ferguson, who was working in his shirt sleeves counting the piles of gold, stated for the information of all present that it was hoped that the business would be carried through in an orderly fashion, as there was no desire to handcuff anyone.

Most of those present took the position philosophically, and laughed at the discomfiture of each fresh arrival as he was placed under arrest. When the Star man came up for search he presented his bona fides, and then hurried back to the office.

RAID NO. 2. Just about a quarter past two Sub-In-spector Hendry, accompanied by four or five constables, all in plain clothes, walked slowly up Vulcan Lam from Queen street. They proceeded right through to High street, stopped at the corner for a moment or two, were joined by more constables, and then returned more briskly, entering Ryan's billiard-room straight away. Immediately the doors were closed, and further exit or entrance was barred. A brief survey of the 'billiard room, about a quarter of an hour later, revealed to a Star reporter (before he was gently persuaded to leave) some twenty or thirty men sitting along the seat at one side of the room. A pile of books and papers on one corner of the billiard table indicated that a search had been made of at least some pockets, and two or three constables were even then conducting a further search of coats, etc., belonging to inmates of the room. °

At the time of the raid great interest was taken in the 'billiard room by those having business or other interests in Vulcan Lane, and considerable entertainment was derived from watching the astonished expressions of those not "in the know" who went innocently along to try to get in. The inmates of the billiard room could not be identified in the short time available for a rapid glance round by one who wished still to retain his freedom.

THE THIRD SWOOP. I Amidst the long rows of offices in Coomfbes' Arcade are several suspected shops, and here also tho police were successful in securing a great many arrests in accordance with their scheme of wholesale action. The reporter who followed the police into this institution had not got out at the time the Star went to press. iPOIJCE VAN BREAKS DOWN. The raiding constables, who were all in plain clothes, made their initial calls about 2 p.m., and, having broken the news of their mission to the proprietors took over the control of the subsequent

proceedings. They simply assunu d tlint-C everybody who came established prima | facie evidence against himself. The man j knocked, was admitted, and, what is | more, he was in some cases admitted ' with all the insistence of a strong arm, J and hospitality over-reached itself in the ' way in which he was not allowed to leave. In other cases visitors were ad- 1 vised to go away, and only if they insisted on entering were they placed under , arrest.

The "Black Maria" was called into use to take a batch of those arrested on the premises at Vulcan Lane to the police station. By this time the lane was thronged with people, eager with curiosity to learn the cause of all the commotion.

As the prison van left the lane -with 14 on board, including ten prisoners and four constables, several of those in the crowd recognised a number of persons arrested, and sent up a mighty cheer as the van departed, pursuing its way along Coburg street. AH went well with the van until Wellesley street was reached. Here, through the unaccustomed load, one of the traces broke as the vehicle was turning the corner of Albert Park that leads to the station. The passengers had to dismount and walk through the pouring rain—a distance of about 50 yards. Thus ended a most uncomfortable drive.

'Most of the prisoners were taken to the police station in a taxi-cab belonging to one of them, this vehicle making repeated trips. ,

"CALLED TO SEE A DRESSMAKER." There were many incidents. In connection with the arrests of the three women' who found themselves unexpectedly in tlie toils was one who alleged, very stoutly, that she had come to see a dressmaker. It was true that there was a dressmaker not far away, but she could not remember her name. The best evidence that she could tender of her bona fides was thn!. when she was asked what had won tli ■ big race, she declared that she knew iiotmng of racing, but the search bet: iyed her. Her innocent little bag "gave her away," and, ifistead of a dressmaker's bill, there lay in it certain tickets that had very obvious connection with horses that had run in races. Her plea did not look so well after the discovery.

WEDDING iPIARTY KEPT WAITING. An excuse that seems to have served several men was that they were looking for the lavatory. A quick-witted person, who came suddenly into one of the offices, spied a pair of glasses hanging on the wall, and he declared that, having left them there the day before, he had called for them, but whether the story was true or not, the police expressed their doubts, and persuaded the man to stay. Hard fortune attended the driver of a motor car. He vowed that he had to drive a wedding party somewhere at three o'clock, and he pictured the distress of the guests and the worry of the bride. But the law took no hee'd.

Another man, who had left a vehicle, was a carter. When he was arrested his distress was evident. ''They've got me both ways," he said. "If I'm kept here I'll be up for leaving my cart unattended." Luckily for him, some kindly person found the cart with a small child in rather nervous command, and sent it home.