PAKAPOO DENS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 22955, 5 February 1938, Page 19

PAKAPOO DENS

" MENACE TO CITY " CHINESE FINED £SO EACH COUNSEL'S SUBMISSIONS "These places are an absolute menace to the city," said Detective-Sergeant McHugh, when four Chinese, three charged with using their premises as common gaming houses, and one charged with assisting in the management of a common gaming house, appeared in the Police Court, before Mr. C. R. Orr Walker, S.M., yesterday. Shim Wing, aged .'36, was charged with using his premises at 57 Grey's Avenue, as a common gaming house, about January 28, and Jam Mo, aged 19, was charged with assisting in the management. Mr. McHugh said the place was fitted up as a pakapoo gambling den when raided. Shim Wing had previous convictions, but Jam Me had not. Public Morals Mr. Dickson, who appeared for all the accused, said gambling might be a menace, but it was legal in some circumstances. Public morals' had not been hurt, and when there was legislation in advance of the morality of the city itwas not observed. Bookmakers seldom went to prison, and he asked therefore that Shim Wing's previous convictions should not be taken into account. The men were merely agents selling tickets. Mr. McHugh: .If that is the case the situation is more serious than I thought, because it will not affect these men to impose small fines. The Magistrate: J would like to know if the big syndicate pays these fines. Mr. Dickson: No, si®;. Increased Penalty The Magistrate: One of the arguments is that as they are agents the penalty should be noinin.;!. That would mean agents would carry on these dens for all time with impunity. That would be a dangerous attitude for me to take up.

If ho did not increase the penalty for a repeated offence,' he would be adopting the attitude, "There is no penalty, carry on with the good work," said the magistrate, fining Shim Wing £SO and costs, in default three months' imprisonment, and Jam Me £lO and costs, in default three weeks' imprisonment. "Chance to Make Living" Ah Sim, aged 37, was charged with using his premises at 71. Grey's Avenue as.a common gaming house, about January 28. Detective-Sergeant McHugh said the police had bought tickets there several times, while the keeper had a, number of previous convictions, including one for smoking opium. "There is a constant - succession of raids," said Mr. Dickson. "1 would suggest that the police take notice of other forms of gambling, such ns book-mak-ing,' and give my clients a bit of a chance to make a living." ' The accused .was fined £SO, in default three months' imprisonment. Joe Bong, aged 35, was charged with using bis premises at 65 Grey's Avenue as a common gaming house. Mr. McHugh said the place was fitted u]) as a den, and the keeper had previously been before the Court. Mr. Dickson: He' was previously convicted for selling.tickets. Mr. McHugh: He has.been promoted. The Magistrate: The penalty is also going to be raised. A fine of £SO and costs',"*'in default three months' imprisonment, was imposed. No time was allowed for payment of any of the fines.