A CHINESE SEXTET.

Auckland Star, Volume LIX, Issue 56, 7 March 1928, Page 8

A CHINESE SEXTET.

TO BE DEPORTED. stayed in n.z. too long, HEAVY FINES ALSO IMPOSED. A sextet of Chinese—Kung Cheng, Fong Cheung, Wong Hing, Gin Yates, Sing Jew and Lee Nam-—were arraigned before Mr. W. R. McKean, S.M., at the Police Court this morning on charges of remaining in the Dominion for a longer period than allowed by their temporary permits. All pleaded guilty. Mr. Rowe, acting collector of Customs, who prosecuted, said that Kung Cheng and Fong Cheung had exceeded their time by 20 months. The others had not been here as long. On behalf of the accused Mr. S.'W. Tong said that the six Chinese gave themselves up to the police. The circumstances in their cases were a little different from others who had been before the Court recently. They were all leaving for Suva by the next steamer. To obtain passports was a long procedure, and it was only a few days ago that they could book their passages. Counsel pointed out that they would not be allowed to land at Suva unless they each had £20. They had saved up sulllcicnt to pay their fare and retain £20 on landing. That was all the money they had. Mr. Tong suggested that only nominal fines should be imposed. The magistrate remarked that there were far too many Chinese who stayed in the country for a couple of years and then hoped to escape with a nominal penalty. This practice would have to be stopped. Kung Cheng and Fong Cheung were each fined £20, Wong Hing, Gin Yates, and Sing Jew each £15, while Lee Nam was fined £10. All were ordered to be deported and to remain in custody until their fines were paid.