ARMED HOLD-UP?

Auckland Star, Volume LXIII, Issue 258, 31 October 1932, Page 5

ARMED HOLD-UP?

GAMSLERS ROBBED.

FAN-TAN IN CELLAR.

TWO CHINESE FOR TRIAL.

MONEY SNATCHED FROM TABLE

The story of the sensational hold-up of a fan-tan school in a cellar beneath premises in Grey Avenue on the night of Sunday. October 0, was told in the Police Court this morning when Wong Vet, aged 38. and Wong Choc, 31. two Chinese gardeners, appeared oach charged with, being armed with an offensive weapon, a knife, they did rob Chong Gin of £31 10/.

Dctective Sergeant Kelly prosecuted and Mr. L. P. Leary represented both accused.

Chong Gin, laundryman, of 34, Grey Avenue, said there was a fan-tan School" at 49, Grey Avenue on Sunday, October 9. Witness arrived about 0.30 nm. There was a game in progress, and'about 7 p.m. he took charge of it, sittin™' at the head of the table. He had a clerk alongside him, Ah King. Ah King's duties were to pay out to the betters who won, and also-to gather in the money from the table. Witness had known the two accused for a long time, ar.d saw them enter about 7.30 p.m. Neither played fan-tan. Witness produced a plan of the premises, and said Wong Chee stood on a platform behind witness, while orig Yet stood at the opposite end of the tabic. At this time there werj between 20 and 30 Chinese in the room. "Hand Over My Shoulder." "Wong Chee grabbed the money off the table," said Chong Gin. "Wong C'hee put his hand over my shoulder to get the money." Witness said there was £31 10/ in notes on the table. Wong Chee did n->t take about £3 in silver from the table. There were three bundles of notes. Wong Chee said he was taking the money to pay his fine. After taking the money, Wong Chee left the room. Wong Yet had a knife in his hand, raised above his head. Wong Yet told those in the room not to interfere. At this time Wong Chee was standing near Wong Yet. Two Chinese tried to prevent both accused from leaving the room. Witness did not follow the accused when they left the room, as he was afraid of the knife which Wong Yet had in his hand. Mr. Leary: Is the room still arranged according to the plan which you produce? —Yes. Will you take me and show me the premises ?—Yes. Ah King gave corroborative evidence. "Don't Touch." A fan-tan player, Ming Kim, said Gin Buck caught hold of Wong Chee by the collar after Wong Chee had grabbed the notes off the table. Wong Chee called out, "Don't touch, or I will strike you." Witness saw that Wong Chee held a knife in his left hand. Witness also caught hold of Wong Chee, but let him go, as he was afraid accused might use the knife on him. Detective Sergeant Kelly: Where was Wong Yet?—He had his right hand raised above his head. There was a knife about ten inches long in his hand. He called out, "Don't touch, or I'll kill you." Both accused then left the cellar by the back door. All the Chinese were frightened and did not follow accused. Committed for TriaL Similar evidence was given by Gin Buck, Ah Loon, Allan Lunn and Sing Ming, other Chinese who were present. Detective F. J. Brady said he made inquiries about the matter and, as a result, arrested Wong Yet on October 19 and Wong Chee on October 22.

Both accused pleaded not guilty, reserved their defence and were committed for trial at the Supreme Court. Bail, £250 in each case, was renewed.