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PART X;—AMENDMENTS OF GAMING ACT, 1908 GENERAL 396. The only evidence given before us in relation to gaming {as distinct from betting), apart from that mentioned in Part IX, was that dPm Comiriisfsiorier of Police. But for his appearance, no question of gatriirrg in the foregoing sense would have been raised before us. In g6ftbrai, therefore, the matters dealt with in this part of our report wete before us by the Commissioner. Sonne, however, arose incfttefttaliy in the Course of the -discussions of other topics. Although on further considetattori we Wave riot found ourselves able to recommend the adoption of every suggestion made by the Commissioner of Police, we feel ccfriStrained to say that every suggestion he made had merit and was Worthy of -consideration, and we are much indebted to Mm for Ms aM^faiiCe. SUBMISSION'S BY THE COMMISSIONER OF POLICE 397. It is pertinent to this topic to say that, in the opinion of the Commissioner of Polioe, gaming-houses are as great an evil to-day as they have ever been. He thinks, however, that such large sums are not wagered as formerly. Entry and search are material needs to their sftppi J ession. Under section 3 of the Gaming Act, ISOB, entry and search can only be effected pursuant to a warrant defined as " a special warrant " granted by a Justice of the Peace. The Commissioner of Police complains that before -a search-warrant can be issued the applicant for the warrant has tb -declare that the premises are commonly reported and are believed by him to be a common gaming-house. He says that it frequently happeris that police on night duty have the best of reasons lor suspecting that premises are being used as gambling dens frequented by undesirables, but because an applicant, before he can get a warrant to enter arid search -under section 3, had to testify on oath that the premises are commonly reported to be kept or used as a common gaming-house, there is such delay and difficulty in getting a warrant that the proper administration of the law is defeated. 398. He proposes that the section be amended by excluding the words " and that such premises are commonly reported." The paramount purpose of the section is the discovery and disbandment of common gaming-houses. There seems no reason, therefore, why the amendment suggested should not be made. Indeed, there seems no reason why a