GAMING-HOUSE RAIDS

Dominion, Volume 22, Issue 95, 16 January 1929, Page 6

GAMING-HOUSE RAIDS

CHINESE AND PAKAPOO

TWELVE ACCUSED FINED

A police raid on Monday afternoon at the premises of four Chinese in Taranaki and Vivian Streets, where it was suspected the illegal game of pakapoo was being played, resulted in eight Chinese and four European accused being brought before Mr. E. Page. S.M., at. the Magistrate's Court yesterday. Wong Wai, fruiterer, aged 57, was charged with using bis premises at 154 Taranaki Street, as a common gaming house. Similar charges were preferred against the following—Sam Chong, laundryman, aged 40. of 145 Taranaki Street: Suu Wing On, shop assistant, aged 40, of .127 Taranaki Street: Joe Jack, laundry band, aged 29, of 95 Vivian Street. In addition, Ah Lee, a cook, aged 28: Ah Ching, a gardener, aged 22: Frank Kee, retired, aged 68; Walter White, printer, aged 27: Richard Harrison, a fireman, aged 35: Albert. Edward Bennett, fireman, aged 54; and Gilbert John Riordan, labourer, aged 33, were each charged with being found in a common gaming house. All the accused pleaded guilty.

Acting Chief-Detective Holmes, who conducted the case for the police, said that Wong Wai and Sam Chong had been convicted three months ago for a similar offence, and straightway they had continued with the conduct of gaming houses. R. Lee also had been previously convicted of being found in gaming houses. Ab Chee and Frank Lee were first offenders.

Mr. O. C. Mazengarb, who appeared for the five accused mentioned by Mr. Holmes, said that of his clients at least one thing could bo said in their favour, namely, that no Europeans had been found on the premises. Mr. Holmes said it was not correct that white people did not frequent the premises. It was the white men who kept the Chinese going, and it was by men chiefly of the wharf class that the Chinese profited. The Magistrate said that as both principals had been previously convicted only three monthse ago he would have to impose a more substantial penalty than previously. Wong Wai and Sam Chong were each fined £4O, in default three monthse’ imprisonment, three weeks being given in which to pay. R. Lee was fined £3, in default seven days’ imprisonment, and Ah Chong and Frank Kee each £2, in default seven days’ imprisonment. With regard to tho two accused Sun Wing On and Joe Jack, who were represented by Mr. C. A. L. Treadwell, Mr. Holmes said the two Chinese were first offenders.

Mr. Treadwell said Joe Jack had been in the business for only five weeks, while Sun Wing On also had been carrying on for only a short time, and neither was likely to offend again. The fact that the business of each was very small was shown by the fact that when the police raid was made the money found in the possession of Joe Jack was only Bs., and in the case of Sun Wing On £2.

Sun Wing On and Joe Jack were each ordered to pay £2O within three weeks, in default six weeks’ imprisonment. White, Harrison, Bennett, and Riordan were each fined £2.

CHARGES AT CHRISTCHURCH TRIAL BY JURY ASKED FOR Dominion Special Service. Christchurch, January 15. The charges against Patrick Walsh and Robert Michael Cox in connection with the gaming raid on New Year’s Eve were heard in the Magistrate’s Court to-day before Mr. E. D. Mosley, S.M. Walsh, a native of Australia, aged 43, was charged with : (a) Carrying on the business of a bookmaker; and (b) conducting a common gaming house. Cox was faced with three charges: (a) Carrying on the business of a bookmaker: (b) assisting in conducting a common gaming house: and (c) wilfully interfering with the working of a telephone. Accused elected to be dealt with by a jury on the charges, except those of conducting a gaming house, in which they were not given the option. Mr. H. F. O’Leary, of Wellington, with him Mr. J. K. Moloney, appeared for both the accused. Mr. O’Leary asked that the Magistrate’s decision in regard to the gaming house' charges be held over pending the henring of the other cases, for which the evidence wns exactly the same. The Magistrate would not promise at that stage to reserve his decision, but announced that the evidence would be taken against both men. On the bookmaking charges a big package of exhibits was displayed in court, comprising the police haul nf double charts, code lists, code charts, commission books, memoranda of bets, acceptance cards, and letters from various peonle. Chief-Detective Carroll outlined the nolice operations on December 31 nt Walsh's residence. 66 Hills Road, under a Gaming Act warrant. Detective-Sergeant Young gave details of the raid and read a list of telephone communications that afternoon relating to betting. Mr, O'Leary submitted that there was not sufficient' evidence against Cox to send him for trial. Walsh would plead not guilty. The Magistrate committed Walsh for trial at the Supreme Court. He did not ■wish to comment on the evidence against Cox. because it might prejudice bis trial, but he found that there was a prima facie case against him on both charges. Cox pleaded not guilty, and wns committed to the Supreme Court for trial. Bail was allowed in self, £lOO, and one surety of £lOO. In each case the Magistrate adjourned the cases against each man in regard to a gaming bouse until February 19. stating be would not feel bound by the jury’s decision on the other charges, whatever it might be. Albert Khoiiri. charged with being found in a gaming house, was remanded to appear on February 19.