“ON THE INCREASE”

Dominion, Volume 19, Issue 89, 9 January 1926, Page 22

“ON THE INCREASE”

PAKAPOO IN THE CITY GAMBLERS FINED A sequel to the police raids on Chinese premises in Haining and Taranaki Streets on Thursday was heard in the Magistrate’s Court yesterday morning, when Wee Kec Fan” Lee Chan, On Tai, All Kong, mid Ah Lee were charged with being keepers of common gaming houses. Kec Sheen, Ah Ching Leong, and three Europeans, Alartin Sumi, Robert Ross, ami John Samuel Windsor were also charged with being found in the gaming bouses. All the defendants, who were represented by Air. O. C. Alazcngarb, pleaded guilty. “The defendants have repeatedly been warned bv the police,” said Scuior-Ser-geant Lander, who prosecuted. “Despite tin's fact, however, there is not the slightest doubt that gambling is on the increase in the Afount Cook dis. triet. The unfortunate part of it all is that an increasing number of Europeans arc being drawn into the game. The police have visited these places from time to time, and know exactly what is being done. Warnings seem to have no effect.” “It may be that pakapoo is on. the increase in this particular locality,” said Air. Afazcngarb for the defence, “but there is nothing alarming in that state of affairs when one considers the alarming corresponding increase in other unlawful forms of gambling indulged in throughout New Zealand, and connived at by the State. It is a strange thing that in this community other forms of gambling arc permitted, although they arc prohibited in the eyes of Hie law. Big lotteries arc accepted and allowed by people in high positions whose duty it is to enforce the law. It does not appear that heavy fines have the effect of stamping out the evil, and one will have to look in another direction to find some remedial measure for breaches of the Gaming Act. It seems that the Act will have to be recast before respect for it can be looked for from the Chinese members of the community.” “It may be that other forms of gambling are being carried on in our midst,” said Air. W. G. Riddell, S.AI., “but in my opuiion gambling will go on for all time. It is not a question as to whether one form is more vicious than another; this particular form of gambling is on the Statute Book as an offence. The law must be obeyed, and the Court will have to impose fines accordingly.” Chan, Tai, Kong, and Lee were each fined £25, in default six weeks’ imprisonment, while Fan, who had a previous conviction of a similar nature, was fined £lO, in default two months' imprisonment. Sheen, Leong, Sund, Ross, and Windsor were eacli fined £2, in default seven days’ imprisonment. tj.r(2k. la r-r