CHINESE GAMBLERS.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2463, 30 March 1909, Page 5

CHINESE GAMBLERS.

WELLINGTON COURT PROCEEDINGS.

[Pep, Press Association.]

WELLINGTON, March 29. As the result of a raid in Haining Street upon Chinese residences early in the present month, three Chinamen, Chow Sup, Young Kee, and Ah Pong, appeared in the Magistrate’s Court today, before Mr. W. G. Riddell, S.M. .Young Kee was charged with: (1; Unlawfully selling a incket to Thomas J. Flewellen, by which ticket permission was given to the purchaser to have an nterest in a scheme whereby prizes are gained by a mode of chance; (2) with during the month of March being the occupier of premises, No. 22. Haming Street, having used the same as a common gambling house. Thomas George Flewellen, police constable, stated that he visited accused s house on the 3rd inst. for the purpose of purchasing a paka-poo ticket. He received a ticket from the aiici two days later purchased two more tickets from the accused, paying 2s for one and 6d fifcr the other. Next evening witness again purchased a Is ticket, and also saw others buying rickets and receiving money. On the Bth ana 9th inst. witness procured, by similar means, two additional tickets. For the second ticket he received a prize of Is. Lonstable Gillespie accompanied witness on ariutiier u-xpeatuon to accuse/ s prein ises on the 10th inst., both buym 0 . tickets. The constables made a further combined sally on the 11th inst., when more tickets were bought. Mitness received a prize of 8s 6d for the manner in which he marked his ticket. On each occason there were other persons present in accused s room. Corroborative evidence was given bv Constable Gillespie, and Sergeant Rutledge stated that he arrested the accused on the 11th inst. . -When the purport of the evidence of tlie police officers was interpreted to the accused he unhesitatingly pleaded not guilty. 'Under examination, _ the accused stated that he had a busmen in Palmerston, and was in Wellington for the purpose of buying fruit. He remembered seeing the constables, as given in evidence, but denied that he ever -sold them the paka-poo tickets produced. ~ __ The charge against Ah Pong was then' taken. & Constables Flewellen and Gillespie gave similar evidence to that in the .previous case. The. accused, who pleaded not guilty, 'stated that he peddled with vegetable baskets. The evidence of two fellow countrymen of Ah/Pong was called to show that he only entered into occupation of the premises on the 12th inst. Chow Sup, similarly charged, also pleaded not guilty. His Worship remarked that tlie case against Ah Pong was not so sriong as that of the other two. -His evidence was in the nature of an alibi. However, there was sufficient evidence to show that each of the defendants must be convicted. The Legislature allowed a maximum penalty of £2OO. In this instance each of the accused, for sealing paka-poo tickets, must he fined £4O, with costs 27s 6d. The alternative _ m default was fixed at two months imprisonment. A conviction was also entered on second charges of keeping the premises, and each accused was ordered to pay Court costs, amounting to <s, in default 48 hours’ imprisonment.