HAINING STREET HABITUES, New Zealand Times, 14 April 1915

New Zealand Times, Volume XL, Issue 9017, 14 April 1915

HAINING STREET HABITUES

A POLICE RAID AND ITS SEQUEL

HAINING STREET HABITUES, New Zealand Times, Volume XL, Issue 9017, 14 April 1915 http://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/NZTIM19150414.2.53

Following upon a police raid on certain houses in Haining street on Monday evening, four Chinese and nine Europeans appeared before Mr G. Cruickshank, S.M., in the Magistrate’s Court yesterday charged with breaches of the gaming law. The Chinese were called up first. Cum Hoy, the occupier of No.12, Ah Wong, occupier of No. 8, Joe Tong, occupier of No. 4, and Wong Zee, occupier of No. 10, Haining street, were each charged with allowing their premises to be used as common gaming-houses. Accused were represented by Mr E.G. Jellicoe, and the police by Sub-Inspector McKinnon.

Mr Jellicoe said he had just been instructed, and was not prepared to go on at once. He asked for a week’s remand and bail, saying the accused would enter a plea of not guilty.

Sub-Inspector McKinnon asked that the bail be substantial —at least £50 for each man.

Mr Jellicoe protested against the sub-inspector “dictating to the Bench.”

The sub-inspector denied that he was assuming the role of dictator to the Bench. He was merely suggesting that the bail be at least that amount, as it was fairly easy for these Chinese to get away. One of them had £31 on him. and the other three had various amounts in their possession.

Mr Cruickshank granted the remand and fixed bail in one security of £50 for each man.

The remaining accused were then called up. Their names were Henry McLaughlin, William Humphries, Patrick Campbell, Charles Whelan, William Rough, Henry Watson, George Crossley, Edward Lopez (a black man), and Robert Hand, and each was charged with being found in a common gaming-house. When charged, all pleaded guilty.

The sub-inspector, outlined the facts briefly. The accused were each found in gaming - houses conducted by Chinese.

His Worship: “I see they are liable to a fine of: £5."

The sub-inspector: “That is so, sir.”

His, Worship: “You are each fined £3 and costs 7s, in default seven days’ imprisonment;”

One of the accused: “May I have time to pay, sir?”

The sub-inspector; “I object to time being allowed. Your Worship. It would only give them an opportunity to clear out.”

His Worship: “No. Time will not be allowed.”