Chinese Beat Sergeant Of Police In Grab

Chronicle (Levin), 12 October 1949, Page 3

Chinese Beat Sergeant Of Police In Grab

ATJCQLAND, Oct. 11. A young man allegedly lost £2100 in one night at a fan tan gambling school in Grey's Avenue, the police told Mr. J. Morling, S.M., in the Police Court today when 14 Chinese were charged as the sequel to a raid made last Friday afternoon. Ah Lung (45), gardener, and Ah Fong (75), pensioner, were jointly charged with using a room as a eommon gaming house. Twelve other Chinese were charged with being found on the premises without lawful excuse. Mr. Dyson appeared for all the Chinese. Senior Detective > Finlay said that when Sergeant Hamilton and other members of the special duties branch entered the premises^ fan tan' was being played., - More than £200 was on the tab'le dn front of Ah Fong who was acting as croupier. Ail that vSergeaiit Hamilton could grab when he entered was £1 13s, added Mr. Finlay. The Chinese were quick and beat him for the rest.

The local Chinese have been celebrating the anniversary of the Chinese Republic and this game of fan tan was just a eorollary of the happy state of affairs, said Mr. Dyson. There was no question of the premises being barricaded and I suggest it is not necessary to impose a heavy penalty. It seems that this was just a way of celebrating the occasion by haviug a little gamble, said Mr. Morling. Mr. Finlay: I don't think so, sir. This plaee has been running a fan tan school for a iong time. We know of one young man who is alleged to have lost £2100 in one night. Mr. Dyson: There is no evidence before the court to say it was this place. The keepers may not be the same two but the premises are the same, replied Mr. Finlay. The Magistrate imposed fines of £15 on Ah Lung and Ah Fong. Five of the other Chinese who had been previously convicted, were each fined £4 and the rest £2.