FAN TAN RAID

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 79, Issue 305, 26 December 1936, Page 5

FAN TAN RAID

CHINESE SURPRISED “BANK” STRONGLY GUARDED "BASEMENT’S FILTHY STATE” While a game of fan tan was in progress on Sunday afternoon in the basement of a house in Grey’s Avenue, eight detectives, led by Detective-Ser-gent McHugh, rudely descended upon the players and, executing a search warrant, arrested 18 Chinese (states the Auckland Star.) The detectives seized betting material and wire cages containing money. These had been screwed down on the table. Some time ago two men rushed into the same premises, attacked the keeper, doused the electric lights, and stole all the money lying on the table. Since then full precautions have been taken, and the detectives found that the electric light switches were enclosed in a locked box, gas jets burning as well as electric lights, and that two wire cages which were locked were screwed to the table. In the wire cages was the money comprising the bank.

Considerable sums of money were found on some of the Chinese fan tan players. One had a roll of banknotes totalling £349, others £lO2, £BO and £6O respectively, and several possessed possessed sums ranging from £lO to £2O.

After appearing before a justice of the peace at a special Court at the police station on Sunday afternoon, the 18 Chinese were remanded on bail to appear at the Police Court at a later date. Albert Hong Duk, aged 36, clerk, and Wing Wong, 31, lorry driver, were each charged with using the premises, 49 Grey's Avenue, as a common gaming house. Mr. Dickson appeared for Hong Duk and Mr. Giesen for Wing Wong. On the application of counsel both men were remanded to appear on January 22. Sixteen Men Fined The remaining 16 Chinese pleaded guilty to charges of being found on the premises of a common gaming house. Detective-Sergeant McHugh, after describing the raid, said frequent complaints were received by the police concerning this particular house. The basement where the Chinese were found was 47ft. long, 15ft. wide and 6ft. in height. It was poorly ventilated. A game of fan tan was in progress when the detectives entered, “The basement was in a filthy condition and it is a menace to the city,” said Mr. McHugh. “The men will insist on congregating there.” Mr. Wyvern Wilson: Who owns the premises?

“I am not sure yet who the owners are,” said Mr. McHugh.

The magistrate said the owners ought to be compelled to clean up the place.

“Yes, sir; it is quite close to the Town Hall, too,” replied Mr. McHugh. Being old offenders, of the 16 men charged with being found on the premises, Wong Chuck, 61, laundreyman and Buck Hoo, 52, gardener, were each fined £5, while Chung Oak, 64, laundryman, was fined £2 and costs; The following Chinese were each fined £1 and costs:—Ah Chong (38), gardener; Ah Wong (43) gardener; Doy Yuen (56), tourist; Ah Hop (31) fruiterer; Ah Lay (40), gardener; Chong Fee (40) laundryman; Ah Lee (52) fruiterer; Wong Hock (57), laundryman; Ah Way (42), gardener; Ah Wong (38) gardener, and Shim Ying (38) gardener.