RAID ON A CHINESE GAMBLING DEN.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXIX, Issue 11879, 3 February 1902, Page 3

RAID ON A CHINESE GAMBLING DEN.

A LARGE CAPTURE.

Shortly before ten o'clock last evening the neighbourhood of Wakcfield-street was disturbed by sounds of strife emerging from a house occupied by a Chinaman named Ah Yong. The uproar was found to be caused by a well-organised raid 011 the premises by the police, who had for some time past had tho place under supervision. Under instructions from Inspector Cullen a search warrant was obtained on Saturday from Mr. H. W. Brabant,, S.M., and at an appointed time last night the house was quietly surrounded by Chief-Detective Grace, Detectives Henderson, Herbert, W. Maddern, McMahon, Mciilvency, and Kennedy, assisted by Constables Cox. Morris, Driscoll, Roberts, and Irwin. At a given signal the doors were rushed by the detectives, and once inside it was seen that tho game of fan-tan was in full swing. The utmost confusion prevailed, and a rush was made for the various exits, but the Chinamen were met at every point by the police. The banker and clerk were discovered hiding under the gaming table, and were quickly handcuffed. In-all thirtyone arrests were made, and one crippled i Chinaman named Ming Chong, who was recently before the Court on a charge of attempted suicide, was left behind. A quantity of money was found in the room, and !. a complete fan-tail paraphernalia was taken I charge of by the police, including coins, leads, etc.

The arrested Chinamen were handcuffed in pairs, and marched to the lock-up in High-street, followed by a great crowd of civilians who had assembled in the street, doubtless attracted by the noise of the jabbering and yelling. Tho Chinamen were plated in the colls, and on being searched sums of money in gold and notes were discovered on them, ranging from £5 to ;SSO. About 100 Chinamen came to the lockup to bail their countrymen out, and the work of searching - and of obtaining the execution of the bail bonds occupied Detectives Maddern and Kennedy and Constable Brown till nearly two o'clock this morning. The lot were subsequently bailed at amounts from £5 to £10.

They will be charged at the Police Court this morning, Ah Yong as keeper of the house, Ah Wong as banker, and Ah Ring as assistant manager, and the balance of the draft as being found in. a common gaming house. The following are the names of the arrested Chinese:—Ah Cow, 64; Ah Yew, 37, cook; Ah Shoe, 37, shopman; Yet Gee, 55, gardener: Ah Sing, 28, gardener; Tei Wall, 40, cook; Sing Yet, 32, laundryman; Willie Goom. 30, gardener; Ah Tan, 28, gardener; All Way, 55, gardener; Chin Sing, 33, gardener: Mong Kun, 39, gardener; Ah fling, 40, gardener; Ah Wong, 30, gardener; Yet Lee, 50, gardener; Ah Young, 22, gardener;' Mee Kee, 40, laundryman; Ah Ling, 40, cook; Ah San, 42, grocer and doctor;. Ah Yong, 45, grocer; Len Sing, 36, gardener; Len Geo, 41, gardener ; Ah Ling, 34, gardener; Ming Sue, 33, gardener; Bing Chew, 30, gardener; Ah Lean, 40, gardener; Ah Choy, 52, gardener; Luo Wong, 50, grocer; Young Chin, 48, grocer; Ah Low, 45, gardener; Chan Yin, 38, gardener.