TONG HEE'S HOUSE.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1447, 23 May 1912, Page 6

TONG HEE'S HOUSE.

BLAND DEFENCE AVAILS NOT. IDT TolOEraph—Prosi Association.! Auckland, liny 23. In connection with th 6 police- raid on the Chiue--.e premises in Wakefield Street another alleged principal. Tong Heo, made his appearance Iwforo Mr. E. C. Cuttcn, S. JI., at tho Police. Court to-day. Prior to the occupancy of the promises by tho other alleged principal, Ting Hing, Tcng Hoc had been the leases of the place, but had disposed of the goodwill of tho socalled boanlinghouso to Ting .Hing for a consideration of £1? 10s. Ton;? Hoe, however, stili paid the rent, Ting Hing beiiij; merely a sub-tenant. When called Tong Heo admitted having previously kept; the promises in Wakefield Street, but said that lie nowhad no share in the profits derived from the boarders. He denied absolutely that gambling had gone on in the premises when ho was nropnetor, and vouchsafed tho information that, personally, ho had no knowledge of Chinese games of chance. Ho was certain, filso, that, during Ting King's sub-tenancy of tho premises, tho houso was a legitimate boarding house. Asked by tho sub-inspector if it was not a fact that several Chinese had lost sums ranging from £M to JCIGO at the houso whilst he was tenant Tong Heo said that these imputations wore in no wise correct. Whon conducting tho boardinghouse lie had made a profit ranging from 10.-:. to .£2 per week. The assertion of the police that ho stili owned three out of tour shares in the houso was.also unfounded. Ting Hing, who was also charged with being a principal, gave evidence as In having purchased the goodwill of (he promises from Tong Hoe. Since Hie time of the purchase he had comluctvd the house as a lxmn-fide bonrdinghouso, ami not, as was imputed, as a gamiuir hou«>. Ho admitted that Chinese slaved'on the premises all night, and sometimes indulged in a little relaxation by playing Oliiiieso games. These games,' however, were never nlayed fo> money. Tn giving his decision Mr. Cutten said that, there was no doubt that the premises wero conducted for the purposes of gambling. One thing, however, in the accused's favour was tho fact Hint tho nlace was never visited by Europeans. He would fine Tong I Fee .£-'o with costs, and Ting Hing, who had been remanded from Monday, would !x° mulcted in a. like penally with oosis.