CHARGE OF ROBBERY

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21328, 1 November 1932, Page 14

CHARGE OF ROBBERY

CHINESE AND FAN-TAN 'ALLEGED DISPLAY OF KNIFE TWO MEN SENT FOR TRIAL A 'disturbance at a game of fan-tan, in a Chinese house in Grey's Avenue on the night of Sunday, October 9, resulted in the appearance of two Chinese gardeners, Wong Yet. aged 38, and Wong dice, aged 31, in the Police Court yesterday on a charge of robbery. It was alleged against the accused that while armed with a knife they robbed Chong Gin of £3l 10s. Ihey pleaded not guilty through their counsel, Mr. Lcarv. Complainant, a laundrvman, stated in Evidence that at 6.30 p.m. on October 9 ],o went to tho cellar of a house at 49 Grey's Avenue, where a game of fan-tan was in progress. About half an hour later witness took charge of the gaino as banker and''sat at tho head of tho table. Another Chinese acted as banker's clerk and occupied a seat near witness. His duties were to gather in money from the. players and to pay out to the successful bettors. At approximately 7.30 the two accused entered tho cellar, but did not join in tho game. Wong Cliee took up a position on a platform behind witness and the other accused stood at the opposite end of the table. Altogether there we're between 20 and ,30 Chinese, players and spectators, present. "Grabbed the Money" "Wong Cheo kept behind me for about a quarter of an hour and then lie suddenly leaned over my shoulder and grabbed the money on tho table," continued witness. "There were £3l 10s in notes on the table and about £3 odd in silver, but only the notes were taken. Wong Cliee said ho was taking the money to pay a fine, lie then made to leave tho room. Wong Yet had a knife in his right hand, which ho raised above his head, at tho eame time telling tho other Chinese in the room not to interfere or try to stop Wong Cliee from leaving. Two of the Chinese attempted to prevent Wong Cliee's departure before tbev saw the knife. Both accused, left the room. I did not follow them." Similar evidence was given by Ah King, gardener, who had acted as banker's clerk during the game. After Wong Cliee had removed the bank notes from the table, witness ; picked up the silver coins, lie did not see any knife. Ming Kim, one of the players, said lie taught hold of Wong Cliee by the tails of his coat in an effort to prevent him from leaving the room. Wong Cheo was holding the bank notes in his right hand and witness thought he had a knife in his left hand. He thieatened to strike witness, who released his hold. Witness then saw Wong Yet raise a long knife above his head and heard him call out, "Don't toVfe.h,' or I will kill you." Both accused made their escape. Arrest of Accused Gin Buck, who also attempted to prevent IWong Cheo from leaving the room, said ho heard Wong Yet, who had a knife in liis right hand, say, "Don't stop liini (Wong Chee), or I will strike you." Witness did not know if Wong Chee held anything in his left hand, as it was partly concealed under his coat. Detective Brady said he arrested Wong Yet in a Chinese club in the city on the night of the alleged offence, and the other accused in a Chinese shop three days later. Neither made any comment when the warrants were read to them by an interpreter. Tho magistrate, Mr. F. K. Hunt, committed both accused to the Supremo Court for trial. Bail of £250 was renewed in each case.