Games Of Chance And Gaming Houses.

Samoanische Zeitung, Volume 19, Issue 34, 23 August 1919, Page 3 (Supplement)

Games Of Chance And Gaming Houses.

Wlit CustiWes li Offence. I Ipssfal Prosecition. .- prosecution in its b*atifigOU the law relating to the offeficeof keeping a gaming house was .undertaken in the District COhrt on the' ist iost betore His Honour Judge Roberts, sitting with Messrs. O. F. Nelson, A H C. Tennent, and A A. Chapman as assessors. The case carries a special interest, as previous prosecutions where the like offence was alleged have not been invariably successful, even in cases where the facts were not in dispute. The defendant was Ne ]S'e. a Chinese coolie, and the indictment charged that accused, as the occupier of certain premises situate in Ifi Ifi Street, permitted games of chance to be played thereit> for pecuniary gain, thereby committing a misdemeanour under patagraphs r, 3, 73, and 264 of the Criminal , Code of the Cermau Empire* Mr'R. Whitaker, Crown Pro. seeutor, was in charge of the case. Accused pleaded not guilty. Two witnesses—Crossfield Hunkiu and Frank Roberts—were called ti> support of the prosecution. Tltt-ir evidence went ,to show that on the roth June last they resorted to premises occupied by accused, aud with him engaged in games ot poker. Five jackpots were played, accused taking one shilling tor each jackpot,., besides charging four shillings for kava aud one shilling for lights: "Hunkin aud Roberts lost about £5 between them—all the money they had. The witnesses had both either participated in or seen gambling going on with ae cused in the same house on previous occasions.