A TWO-UP SCHOOL.

Taranaki Daily News, 2 July 1919, Page 11

A TWO-UP SCHOOL.

BALDED m SYDNEY Sydney, June 13, Thepaßtime of "heading 'em" has been called the national game of Australia. It Ims an extraordinary hold upon the menfolk, young and old. There are "schools" everywhere, in both city and country. It is a gamble, and therefore, taboo in the eyes of the law. Whenever the police find time hanging heavily, they put their wits against the very nimble on?s of the two-up sinners, and, organise a raidi

One qf the oldest, most select and notorious "schools" ip Sydney was that which flourished among the sandhills of. North Bandi. It was held in the open air, in a hollow, on Sundays and holidays, and it defied all attempts against surprise. It had to be approached, in any direction, across the open sandhills, .and a system of scouts kept watch on every movement in the surrounding country. So, last Sunday, the police prepared an elaborate plot. As usual, some scores of men were busy in the hollow. A long line of police was secretly formed on the landward side, well put of sight. Then at a fixed hour, a large motor patrol-wagon loaded with police appeared on the seaward side, and dashed towards the school. The scouts sent frantic warning. In fi flash the school broke up, players threw away their kips and pocketed their money and scattered. They saw in a inlmtte or two where the danger lay—towards, the sea—so they promptly headed inland, and put no Hmit to their speed. Of course, they ran into the arras of the Hues of waiting police. That started ,an absolute panic. For a quarter of an hour, the low hills were dotted with mad-ly-running men chasing each other through the soft heavy sand. There were thirty policemen in this operation, »nd twenty-eight prisoners were taken! so pretty well each officer wuignt :. man. It is estimated that thirty or-forty M J