CHINESE FINED ON GAMING CHARGE

Press, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22319, 5 February 1938, Page 22

CHINESE FINED ON GAMING CHARGE

♦ Laws Criticised By Counsel “CHANCE TO MAKE LIVING” WANTED vi’BESS ASSOCIATION TELEQHAIi.) AUCKLAND, February 4. The ethics of gambling and the legislation controlling gaming were discussed by Mr J. Dickson in the Police Court, when ho appeared for four Chinese, who had been arrested in a recent raid made by detectives on three premises in Grey’s avenue. Counsel complained that the police paid too much attention to pakapoo houses, and he suggested that the Chinese should be given a “reasonable chance to make a living.” Mr Dickson’s clients were Shim Wing, aged 36, Ah Sim. aged 37, Joe Bong, aged 35, and Jam Me. The first diree pleaded guilty to using premises in Grey’s avenue as a common gaming house, and Jam Me pleaded guilty to a charge of assisting in the management of one of the premises. Detective-Sergeant McHugh said the premises were specially fitted up as a pakapoo gambling den, which was frequented by large numbers ot both Chinese and Europeans. Shim Wing had two previous convictions for gaming, but Jam Me had not previously been convicted. “These gambling places are an absolute menace in the city,’.’ said Detec-tive-Sergeant McHugh. “No Public Morals Affected" “I don’t think they are,” said Mr Dickson. “In any case, no public morals have been affected. It is quite legitimate to gamble in certain other circumstances. When you have legislation in advance of morality, it is not observed. Gambling will still go on in Auckland and elsewhere in spite of what the Court may do. Just because Shim Wing has two previous convictions, I submit that this will not cause your Worship to send him to prison on this occasion, or have the effect of increasing his fine. We desire consistency in penalties; bookmakers are now seldom sent to prison, and if one occasionally does go to gaol there is a public outcry.” Mr Dickson also remarked that the Chinese for whom he appeared were merely agents for a principal or syndicate. They sold pakapoo tickets in order to eke out a living. Heavy Fine Asked Detective-Sergeant McHugh; If trial is the case, then this matter is more serious than I thought, and a heaw fine should be imposed. Then the syndicate can pay the fines for tho agents. “But the syndicate does not pay the fines for these men when they are caught,” said Mr Dickson Shim Wing was fined £SO or ssnicnced to three months’ imprisonment, and Jam Me £lO or three weeks in prison.

When it was stated that Ah Sim had four previous convictions for gaming, Mr Dickson said his Chinese clients complained about the constant succession of raids carried out by the police recently. Detective-Sergeant McHugh: Yes, sir. We carry out our duties fearlessly. “What do you suggest should be dowel ” the Magistrate asked of Mr Dickson. “I think that they might give these Chinese a reasonable chance to make a living,” counsel replied. ‘T would suggest that the police might take more notice of another form of gambling in this city, such as bookmaking.” Ah Sim was fined £SO or sentenced to three months imprisonment, the same penalty being imposed on Joe Bong. _____________________