RAID SEQUEL

Waikato Times, Volume 127, Issue 21210, 5 September 1940, Page 8

RAID SEQUEL

GAMBLING IN CLUB TWO FINED £25 EACH BAND OF PATRONS IN COURT Gambling in premises in the heart of Hamilton were described in the Magistrate’s Court today when, before Mr S. L. Paterson, S.M., more than 30 men faced charges under the Gaming Act. The charges were the result of a police raid last Friday night on the premises known as the Federal Club in Victoria Street, when the raiding party had to force its way past closed doors to reach its objective. All the men were charged before justices of the peace on the night of the raid and were remanded.

Stating that the club had been a source of annoyance for some months, Senior-Sergeant A. G. McHugh said the establishment had many patrons who took part in games of two-up and other forms of gambling. The sounds of the bets being placed in the gambling room could be heard from outside the building, and the police had kept watch on the premises on several nights. Even the sound of the dice could be heard from outside.

“A Big Swoop” “On the night of August 29,” said the senior-sergeant, “we not only listened but actually watched the game. James Arthur Frost acted as croupier and conducted the game from 10.20 p.m. until 10.50 p.m. Just as he finished he told all the players to come back next night, as there would be a big swoop. There was a big swoop, but it was not the sort that Frost was thinking of. John Sherard Rawson took over the game and he also appealed to the players to return next night. “We were not invited, but we went along also,” continued the seniorsergeant. “A warrant was secured and we visited the premises after 11 p.m. on Friday night. Admission was refused us and we had to force our way in through doors and | windows. Frost kept calling out ‘There’s no need to worry. They cannot get in here.’ However, we did get in. Dice were thrown out of the window, but we also had men waiting there to catch them.” Source of Annoyance Senior-Sergeant McHugh produced a croupier stick which was stated to have been used by Frost while conducting the game, together with dice, cards, “double” charts and other material taken from the club. The club had been a source of annoyance, said the senior-sergeant, who suggested that the maximum penalty should be imposed on Frost and Rawson, who were charged with operating the gaming house. The establishment was not wholly and solely a gambling club, said Mr N. S. Johnson, who appeared for all the defendants. It had offices, a billiard table, a sitting room, card room and games even down to dominoes. One room was set aside purely for two-up. Admission to the club was limited to members, who paid £1 Is a year, and to persons introduced by members. There was nothing disorderly in the establishment, which was well conducted in every > way. No liquor was allowed in the club, and if any member were intoxicated when he arrived he would not be admitted. In addition, the club was for men only. Under these circumstances the case against Frost and Rawson did not warrant the imposition of the maximum penalty, which was £IOO. The “Rake Off” The magistrate: What is the “rake off” from the game? j Mr Johnson: It was one shilling i per half-hour on the player and I ten per cent of the pool. | James Arthur Frost was charged | that on or about August 30, being i the occupier of premises at 79 Victoria Street, known as the Federal Club, he used them as a common gaming house. John Sherard Rawson was charged with assisting *in conducting the gaming house. Both men pleaded guilty, and each was fined £25 - and costs. Found On Premises The following pleaded guilty to charges of being found in a common gaming house: Mark Trlin, labourer; Gordon Alured Bradley, painter; Gabriel Bossad, salesman; Alfred , Seagar Buckland, stock agent; George i Shaw, motor mechanic; Keith Chil- ! cott, timber worker; Steve Dominikovich, contractor; Alexander Williams, clerk; Alwyn Patrick O’Reilly, electrician; William Henry Main, hairdresser; Eric Alexis Murray, borer; Henry Baker, farmer; Thomas Herbert Gough, outfitter; Norman McLeod Wallace, timber worker; ! Robert Dunbar Lewis, salesman; j Berl Williams, gardener; Noel Wil- ; liarn Luxton, farm labourer; James j Hill, labourer; Richard William ! Healey, agent; Tony Nikolin, farm i labourer; William Brown, packer; i Desmond Charles Smith; Thomas ! William Parker, butcher; Norman 1 Raymond Goodwin, boner; Gordon I Muller, cheesemaker; John Arthur ! Barnett, blacksmith; and Charlie Hing Wong, fruiterer. Each was I fined £2 and costs. Three Charges Dismissed Pleas of not guilty were entered l in the cases in which Frank Geofge Thomas Carrington, school teacher, Leopold Joseph Ramsay, apprentice jockey and John William Winder, jockey, were also charged with being found on the premises. Senior- ; Sergeant McHugh said that after i hearing explanations from the three ! men the police were satisfied that I they had not gone to the club for 1 the purpose of betting. The case I against each of the three defendants J was dismissed.

! The King at Buckingham Palace yesterday received the Ministers for Thailand and Columbia, who presented their letters of credit. More than 100 United States pilots joined the Royal Canadian Air Force last month and more are seeking admission. states a message from Ottawa.