CHINESE GAMBLING-HOUSES.

Otago Witness, Issue 1031, 2 September 1871, Page 21

CHINESE GAMBLING-HOUSES.

( To t7(f Editor of th* A ryux. ) Sir — Will yenx kindly grant me a corner in your valuable journal to state a few facts in connection witli my own won, a ad of 17, and the Chinese gamblinghouses of Little Bourke street I

Some two or three years back wy son "Was the pride of my heart — hunest, industrious, well-behaved, but, sad to reiate, he became acquainted with fan-tan ' and the Chinese lottery ticket. The consequence is, he has become a confirmed gambler, detestable in my sight, a daily visitant to these dens of infamy, and will, T fear, unless these haunts of iniquity are quickly suppressed, be totally ruined for life. Within the last five or six months he has embezzled from me various sums amounting in all to over £50, Several times he has promised to reform, and I have forgiven him. In his repentant moments he describes these Chinese gamblers as fascinating enchanters, offering inducements that it is impossible to withstand while there is sixpence left, and X can quite understand him when I think of their winning smile, their broken English, and quaint manners and customs. On several occasions I have followed him and pulled him out by the collar. What have I witnessed ? A mixed lot of Chinese and colonial youths ranging from 12 years and up wards, 1 very naturally ask myself the question; where do these boys get the money from to play this game ? And lam compelled to console myself with the thought that T am ipt the only victim. At other times clerks may be seen there, or, fur the want of a better term, colonial swell?, staking their jewellery in this abominable game of fan-tan. May I ask. Sir, where are the police ? Are the authorities aware to Vfhat extent these practices aro carried < And are our colonial youths to be cor- i rupted wholesale by a horde of semi-bar-barians, or, rather, knaves and thie\es, who are allowed to escape scot-free because they are a poor, ignorant lot of foreigners that learnt the game in their infancy .' Surely the law is not powerless to put down these practices ; if so, pass an Act through both Houses, and let it become the law of the land within 24 hours, if need be ; make the penalty for the first offence, £100 ; for the second. £500 (it is no half-and-half measure that will meet this case). I fancy this would put the fear of God in their hearts, and thisy would soon "savy" trying a more honourable way of spending their time and energies. — I am, (Src, Hexky Hill. 232, Cambridge street. East Collingwood, August 2nd.