FAN TAN RAID AT AUCKLAND AFTER CHINESE CELEBRATION

Grey River Argus, 12 October 1949, Page 7

FAN TAN RAID AT AUCKLAND AFTER CHINESE CELEBRATION

Did Somebody Lose £2,100 ? P.A. AUCKLAND, Oct. 11

A young man allegedly lost £2lOO in one night, at a fan tan gambling school in Greys Avenue, Auckland. The police told this to Mr J. Morling, S.M., in the Police Court to-day when fourteen Chinese were charged as the sequel to a raid made last Friday afternoon. Ah Lung, aged 45, a gardener, and Ah Fong, 75, a pensioner, were jointly charged with using a room as a common gaming house. Twelve other Chinese were charged with being found on premlises without lawful excuse.

Mr Dyson appeared for all of the Chinese.

Senior Detective Finlay said that when Sergeant' Hamilton and other members of the Special Duties branch entered the premises, fan tan was being played. There was more than £2OO on the table in front of Ah Fong, who was acting as the croupier. All that Sergeant Hamilton could grab, when he entered, was £1 13s, added Detective Finlay. The Chinese were quick and they beat him for the rest. “The local Chinese have been celebrating the anniversary of the Chinese Republic, and this game of fan tan was just a corrollary of a happy state of affairs,” said Mr Dyson. “There was no question of the premises being barricaded ,and I suggest that it is not necessary to impose a heavy penalty. “It seems that this was just a way of celebrating the occasion by having a little gamble,” said Mr Morling.

Detective Finlay: “I don’t! think so, Sir. This place has been running as a fan tan school for a long time. We know of one young man who is alleged to have lost £2lOO in one night.” Mr Dyson: “There is no evidence before the court to say it was this place.” “The keepers may not be the same two, but th e premises are the same,” replied Detective Finlay. The Magistrate imposed fines of fifteen pounds on Ah Lung and Ah Fong. Five of the other Chinese, who had been previously convicted, were each fined £4, and the rest £2.