CHINESE GAMBLER. A SENSATIONAL CAPTURE.

DRAGGED FROM HIDING. AUCKLAND, July 23, In the vicinity of last midnight there was considerable consternation in Grey street, when the police raided a two-storeyed house near the Town Hall, with a view to verifying a suspicion that the place was used as a Chinese gambling-hoiise. Sergeants McCarthy and Fernley headed the raiding party, which included Plain- Clothes Constables Potter, Clifford, and Lambert and three other constables. At 11.30 p.m. the sergeants burst in the front door, which was locked, while the plain-clothes men gained entrance by side windows. A number of Chinamen were surprised, sitting about tabies ill a large downstairs room, but no sooner had the police got into the room when the light, an electric installation, was switched off, and there was a wild rush in the darkness. When the light was re-established there was found to be a considerable decrease in the attendance of the main room, and the police proceeded to search* the upstairs fbSms, with the result that Chinese were discovered Hiding in all sorts of queer places. From under beds, and rolled up in blankets in odd corners, the constables brought bland Celestials to light, while several were found sheltering on the roof, and one was caught crouching inside a barrel. Altogether fifteen Chinese Were collected, while two were seen to escape through side windows. In the room from which the hurry-scurry started was found a collection of cards, dice, and dominoes, and a fan-tan outfit, the latter being set out on a table as if a game had 'been in progress, or about to start. The man who was deemed to be the occupier of the house, Harry Wong (54), was arrested on a charge of keeping a common gaminghouse; and the others were detained on charges Of being found in a gaming-house. The Chinese were taken by motor car to the police station; where a personal search was made, and Wohg wag found to be in possession of £12, while one of the alleged gamesters, Ah Loy (67), had £93 'n his pockets, and the others had only small sums of cash upon them. The search of the house resulted in a considerable sum of money being found in a drawer. The arrested Chinamen came before Mr F. V. Frazer, S.M., this morning, and were remanded till Friday. Bail was fixed at a cash deposit of £100 for Harry Wong, and a cash deposit of £i 3 for each of the other accused. Northern Advocate , 23 July 1917, Page 4