CHINESE DEFRAUDED

Dominion, Volume 21, Issue 188, 11 May 1928, Page 3

CHINESE DEFRAUDED

FELLOW-COUNTRYMAN IN COURT (By Telegraph,—Press Association.) AncMand, May 10. Fraudulent dealings with his fellowcountrymen were alleged in the Supreme Court to-day against a Chinaman named Charlie Lee, who pleaded not guilty to four charges of obtaining money by falsely representing that he could obtain an extension of their permits to stay in New Zealand. Accused is of middle age, and the Chinese from whom he is alleged to have obtained sums totalling £66, are much younger men. The Crown Prosecutor said the charges centred round three young Chinamen who arrived in Auckland in October, 1925. There was a procedure by which Chinese could obtain a permit to remain in this country for six months. The Customs Department did occasionally at its discretion grunt extensions. It was alleged that accused obtained various sums from these Chinese, stating that in return for the payments be would arrange for extensions of their permits. The jury returned a verdict of guilty, adding the following rider: “In view of the evidence in this case, a recommendation be made to the proper authorities that steps be taken to prevent Chinese from over-staying their time allowed by permit.” His Honour agreed with the rider, stating that he thought a great deal of looseness in connection with these permits had been disclosed. Prisoner was remanded for sentence.