CAUGHT IN THE ACT

New Zealand Times, Volume LIII, Issue 12394, 13 March 1926, Page 5

CAUGHT IN THE ACT

UNWELCOME VISITORS POLICE RAID GAMING DEN CELESTIALS AND BURQP£AM3 BEFORE COURT \j East met West amid the surroundings of the Chinese quarter early 0% Thursday afternoon last, but those constituting the latter —a poliae raiding party—were naturally unwelcome visitors. As the result of police investigation, a party from the Mount Cook station, consisting of Sergeant Joyce and a number of constables, visited three dwellinghouses in the Chinese quarter. From the viewpoint of the Odeetial tenants and a number of Europeans present, the visitors made their arrivals at most inopportune moment#. In each of the premises raided pak-a-poo was being played, with the result that quite an imposing array of various gaming paraphernalia was discovered.

IN THE POLICE COURT. Followed the aftermath. Charged with conducting common gaminghouses, three Celestials, comparatively youthful of appearance, but with a bewildering 'array of aliases, appeared before Mr E. Page, S.M., yesterday morning. They pleaded guilty. Mr W. H. Tustin, on behalf of the defendants, submitted that it appeared almost impossible to put down this type of gambling. Counsel contended that, taking all things into consideration, there was hut very little difference between pak-apoo and an ordinary art union. Wong Gun, alias Wong Ah, alias Wah Hop, alias Wong Gong, of 186, Taranaki street, was fined £36. Ah Lee, residing at 11. Hsining street, was fined £lO. Louis Wing, alias Ah Wing, alias Foo Sing, of 111; Tory street, was fined £l6, ■in default one month’s imprisonment. Found on the various premises, Frank Pepper, Patrick Ward, Robert Shari* - ., Alfred Frederick Bradley, and Frank C. P. Skelton were each fined £2. Francis William Martin, Similarly charged, who failed to appear in court, was also fined £2. A similar charge against James William Karanagh was dismissed.