“SENT TO COVENTRY.”

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLIX, Issue 105, 3 April 1929, Page 2

“SENT TO COVENTRY.”

DISHONEST CHINESE FINED. ‘ STOLE FROM COUNTRYMAN. AUCKLAND, April 1. Kew Wan (23), a Chinese, arrested by Acting-Detective Sitevenson on a charge of stealing a watch and chain, gold sovereign case, and American gold piece, of a total value of £l6, the property of Charlie Hong Jong, pleaded guilty when he appeared at the Police Court. Mr All Kew, solicitor, who appeared for Kew Wan, said that accused had been out of work for somo time. He wanted to raise sufficient money to pay his fare to Hamilton, and afterwards proceed to Temuka, in the South Island, to see his brother, who was ill. He succumbed to temptation by stealing the watch and other articles when visiting Jong’s fruit shop. It was his intention to first go to Hamilton and get enough money to redeem the jewellery, which he had pledged, and then post it anonymously to Jong. “Chinese might gamble and smoke opium,” said counsel, “but dishonesty is looked upon as a serious offence by our race. Accused will be severely dealt with by the Chinese themselves, and afterwards sent to the country. In fact, Kew Wan will be ‘sent to Coventry.’ ” Chief-Detective Hammond stated that after stealing the jewellery, accused pledged it for £3 15s. “It so happened that the day he visited Jong’s shop, a Hindu was inspecting it with an idea of purchasing, and, of course, he was suspected as the thief,” said Mr Hammond. “We had to overhaul the Hindu, who was quite perturbed about it. He was innocent, and the bad feature of this case is that suspicion fell on him.” Mr W. R. McKean, S.M., imposed a fine of £5 on Kew Wan and ordered him to make full restitution, in default two months’ imprisonment.