CELESTIALS’ CHRISTMAS

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LV, Issue 17451, 27 December 1930, Page 4

CELESTIALS’ CHRISTMAS

POLICE INTERVENTION GAMING HOUSE CHARGES 16 CHINESE APPEAR IN COURT A Chinese Christmas gathering in Lowe street was interrupted by representatives of the law, and as a result the occupier of the premises and 15 of his countrymen are facing charges under the Gaming Act. At about, 10 o’clock on Christmas night, Detective McLeod, accompanied by Plain-Clothes Constable King and Constable Skinner, paid a visit to the premises, and there found a number of Chinese gathered around a table, engaged, it is alleged, in a game of fan tan.

No opportunity of escape was given, and all submitted quietly to the attentions of the uninvited visitors. They were taken to the police station, the occupier of the premises being allowed bail in the sum of £SO, and the remainder being allowed to depart on sureties of £5.

More was heard yesterday morning of the unexpected visit of the police when Mr. P. 11. Harper, SAL, heard a charge of keeping a common gaming house against Jim Lee, 48, and charges against 15 others of being found in a common gaming house, those concerned being Chung liee, 26; Wong Moy, 21; Ah Hooy, 30; Louie Yen, 32; Ah Wong, 69; Wong Ah Wee, 18; Lauie Hong, 20; Lni Pake, 24; Ngyen Luen, 28; Lauie Chow, 30; Luk Feu, 37; Ah Sue, 27; Ah Wong, 40; Chin Goom, 28; and Ah Lee, 60.

When the time came £tfr the reading of the charges, it was discovered that none of the Chinese was in court. Mr. L. T. Burnard, who was appearing in their defence, could offer no explanation other than that they had all promised to he present at 9.55 a.m., and that they were ready to contest the matter. However, a search of the grounds found them all under a tree with the explanation that they did not want to be seen, Mr. Burnard intimated that they all intended to- plead not guilty, and the case \yas adjourned until January 5, bail being renewed on the same basis as originally.