Fan Tan Charges Against Chinese

Chronicle (Levin), 13 December 1949, Page 5

Fan Tan Charges Against Chinese

Press AssociationS

(Per

WELLINGTON, Dec. 12. Twenty-seven Cliinese appe&red in the Magistrate's. Court on clihrges involving the game of fan tan. The charges, according to counsel, were the result of the first police raid for 24 yeafs on what the police alleged was a fan tan gaming house. o William Young, aged 63, retired, wh.y was eharged that, being the oecupier of a - house in Haining Street, Wellington, he used it as a common gaming house,was fined £20. Of the remaining 26 — nfi eharged with being found without lawful excuse in a common garuing house — 24 were convicfed and fined £l each. The charges again.st the other two were disinissed by Mr Hessel, S.M., who said it was clear they had not participated in the game. Constable D, C. Gillespie said that on the night of November 19 he and three other constables raided Young 's house in Haining Str'eet. Thev found fan tan in progress and took £500 from the Chinese who was looking after the game. About 15 Chinese were standing round the fan tan table" and others were siftin'g or stand about the room. Mr C. A. L. Treadwell, whof appeared for all dhe Chinese, said usually such raids were condueted by seniof-offiee'rs but this time four young constables decided to have a raid of their own. None of the constables knew the game, continued Mr Treadwell, and they did not know what the equipmotit was used for. The premises were used as a club, Said Mr Treadwell. Meafs were served there for old and needy Chinese, free of cost.