CHINESE CHARGED

Hokitika Guardian, 18 July 1933, Page 6

CHINESE CHARGED

TROUBLE WITH INTERPRETERS

. (Per Press Association —Copyright)

■CHRISTCHURCH, July .18,

During the hearing of gaining charges against twenty-seven (Chinese yesterday, a.n unusual development occurred when the Magistrate (Mr Mosley), announced he was hot satisfied with it he interpreter, Percy Chew Lee and that an-. !Oth.e r interpreter would have to be S/scured. He therefore adjourned the case.

When the hearing was -resumed this morning a new interpreter, W. Wall, a (Canterbury .college student, sain frankly: I would rather go to prison than interpret on this occasion. Senior-Sergeant Fox said it had conic to his knowledge that the Chinese concerned in the case -had shown hostility to,a number, of their own countrymen, apparently because of an erroneous idea that, they had given information to the police. There had actually been a threat, of violence. That was .rather an ugly attitude to take up. The Magistrate addressing accused : You can take it from me that any ,thn(eat .from a (European or /Chinese will reap its consequences- British law, which grinds -slowly, will grind that person.

Wa-h was still unwilling to .act as interpreter. He denied that chore had been hostility shown him. There were circumstances he did not wish to disclose. It was not fear. ' Wah added that Chew Le© was a competent interpreter. The Magistrate: I was not satisfied with him yesterday.

The effte j proceeded while a n endeavour was made to secure another interpreter. Later, .another interpreter, Oban, was secured end W T nh wa s re 1 eased from duty. The hearing then proceeded ‘normally.

The principal accused, Yee Kwong, 63, ,a gardener, was charged with permitting premises in ‘Madras Street, to be used as a gaming house aird having prepared opium in his possession. All iSang, 64, a gardener, was charged with assisting Kwong. Twentv-five. other Chinese were charged with being found, without lawful excuse, in a gaming house.

To-day Kwong denied people coming ho the house paid him anything io play if a Man or dominoes. He did not know that fan tan was illegal tn New Zealand.

Another Chinese said the place was merely a clu-b for which subscriptions, were paid. : .