CHINESE IN TROUBLE

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 652, 2 May 1929, Page 1

CHINESE IN TROUBLE

FRAUD AND THEFT CHARGES LABORIOUS EVIDENCE Seven charges, involving £125 14s 10d, were lodged against Albert Hong Duk, a Chinese clerk, in the Police Court this morning. The taking of evidence from Chinese witnesses, through interpreters, was a laborious task for DetectiveSergeant Kelly. Small progress was made with the case this morning. Duk appeared on five counts of obtaining sums totalling £92 12s 6d from Sing Soo Young, fraudulently representing that the Collector of Customs had to be paid for extensions to Young’s permit. Duk was further charged with obtaining £3O from Wai Lee and £3 2s 4d from Ah Hong, omitting to pay W. PI. Madill and the Auckland Electric-Power Board respectively and so committing theft. Chinese crowded near the court door during the case. The first interpreter had difficulty in handling questions to Sing Soo Young, the first witness, and, on one occasion, a Chinese disturbed the court by running forward to advise the interpreter. This Chinese was later installed as interpreter. “My correct name is Fong Quan Foon,” said Sing Soo Young. “When I entered New Zealand from Fiji, I was told by the accused that I could not enter New Zealand under any other name but ‘Sing Soo Young.’ ” "Witness went on to say that he arranged for a temporary permit of six months in New Zealand and paid a deposit to tire Customs. Six months later, Duk sartd he would get an extension of the permit for a payment of £lO. He understood it was the Customs who would grant the extended permit and he received an assurance from Duk that that was so. (Proceeding.)