July 21, 1897.]
books of some gambling syndicate or confrater- nity P-Yes.
On what date did you effect that seizure?-On the 21st June.
Has anyone been arrested and convicted in
connection with that seizure ?—There ́ have
been two Chinese detectives arrested under
banishment warrants.
No, I am speaking in direct connection with -The master of the gambling house was ar- rested and convicted.
What is his name ?-Sam Yeen.
Are those account books in your possession ?→→ They are.
Have they been in your possession and under your entire control ever since they were seized by you -They have.
What was the defendant's number in the Police Force before he became an Inspector ?----- No. 12.
How are the Inspectors ordinarily designated amongst the Chinese ?-By their numbers be- fore they become Inspectors.
How is the defendant known and spoken of amongst the Chinese ?-As No. 12.
Mr. Francis intimated that those were all the questions he had to ask.
Witness's evidence was then read over. Ou the Magistrate coming to the part referring to the receipt of information witness, in answer to the defendant, said-I said I would not swear that I received any information from the Inspector. My first information after my re- turn to the colony was, I am quite certain. received from outside sources and not from the Inspector. To the best of my recollection I had no communication from the Inspector until after I had spoken to him on the subject.
Mr. Francis-After yon received outside com. munications the Inspector did make an applica- tion ?
Witness-He applied for two warrants. You cannot be positive whether he made ap- plication for those two warrants before or after you had spoken to him on the subject ?-Yes. I mean to say that I cannot be certain if the information which led him to apply for those warrants was information independent of me.
Although an Inspector is in charge for gam- bling purposes of a particular section does that relieve him from his duty under rule 73 of re- porting any gambling that may come to his knowledge or that he may suspect to exist ?- No; it is the duty of every constable to report gambling if he suspects it to exist.
His Worship--Mr. Witchell, would you like to ask the witness any question ?
Defendant Yes, Sir. (To witness)-How long have I been in charge of No. 1 gambling
section ?
Witness-You have been in charge of it since I returned from leave.
Since or before you returned from leave ?- I do not know of my own knowledge, but I be. lieve you were placed in charge of that section some months before my arrival in the colony- about August.
Do you remember what Inspector was in charge of No. 1 district before I relieved him? -I was not here.
Do you remember Inspector Hennessey being transferred to West Point?--I was not hore. I was away seventeen months from the colony.
Will you kindly produce the police memo. book of the transfer of Inspector Hennessey from No. 7 Police Station.-It can be produced. Witness sent for the transfer book and upon it being produced he said-I find on reference to the transfer book that Inspector Hennessey was transferred to the Western district on the 6th August, 1896, from the Central,
Do you remember asking me where I ob. tained my information with regard to Kwai Wa Lane gambling I do not remember; it is possible I may
have done so.
Can you say how many days or weeks it was after you returned to the colony-No, I cannot.
Did any other Inspector obtain a warrant or raid Kwai Wa Lane by your instructions ?- Yes, Inspector Kemp did.
On that date do you remember what parti u- lar duty I was on ?-I cannot remember.
Do you remember the result of that raid ?--- The result of Inspector. Kemp's raid was that nothing was found."
You remember the morning that he raided this house P-I do not remember.
CHINA OVERLAND TRADE REPORT.
On what information was the warrant ob- tained ?—I cannot be sure ou what particular information.
Was it a letter addressed to you regarding gambling ?-It is possible it might have been. My recollection is that the principal informa- tion I had regarding gambling from that lane
was from outside sources.
Mr. Francis-Letters received?
Witness-Yes.
Defendant-Are you sure there were only four warrants taken out for Kwai Wa Lane altogether ?
Witness-Yes, I am quite sure.
You said only small fines were inflicted?-
Yes.
Defendant-Of course, your Worship knows that the Police have nothing to do with penal- ties imposed. That all lies with the Magistrate.
His Worship-Decidedly.
Defendant-Have you since had any com. plaints from my district regarding public gaming?
Witness-No.
His Worship-Since when ? Defendant Since gambling was stopped in Kwai Wa Lane.
Witness-What sort of complaints do you
mean?
Mr. Francis--Official or unofficial ? Defendant-Unofficial. Witness-No.
Defendant-Can you tell me the number of warrants and convictions I have obtained since your return to the colony P-I could not say at the moment. I know you have re- ported a house in Jubilee Street, No. 14, and you have reported a house in Hillier Street. That was up to the time of the Wa Lane seizure -the East Street seizure, I should say.
Have rants been obtained against these houses?--I know that the Jubilee Street war- | rapt was obtained but not executed.
I think you are mistaken in the street. That was No. 5, Morrison Street P-14, Jubilee Street. I am speaking of the time before the
East Street raid.
Did you get information about the Jubilee Street house before the raid ?—I got it from yourself.
•
How long since P--Early in the year; about February.
Not the same number ?--It may have been 12 or 14; it was a house in Jubilee Street.
The warrant was executed, but nothing was found?-It may have been executed, but nothing
was found.
I think you have notes of warrants applied for by Inspectors ?-Yes, I have a register.
Seventeen persous
The register was produced and witness read as follows-In Jubilee Street this year. Nos. 12' and 13. The information was given by Inspector Quincey to Inspector Witchell and communicat- ed to me by Inspector Witehell. A warrant was taken out on 14th January and was exe- cuted, and there was no gambling reported. 14. Jubilee Street, on 16th July; information given by Inspector Witchell. were arrested; first and second defendants were fiued $100, and the rest $10 each. Morri son Street, No. 5, on 8th January. Inspector Sixteen men Witchell applied for warrant. were arrested. On the 24th January a warrant was applied for by Inspector Witchell for los. 3 and 5, Morrison Street. There was an arrest, but I have not made a note of the result.
Were any
others applied for? Bonham Strand, for instance Bouham Strand was about seven months ago.. It does not appear here; the omission may be an oversight.
Were there any in Queen's Road or Tong Lane ?--Yes, on the 31st October, last year, at No. 89. Queen's Road West on theen- dant's information. I should say, in ex na-
tion, that of course I will not swear that the defendant owed his information to his (n sources.
His Worship-In the cases you have mone tioned - In the other cases the information was furnished by the Tuspector.
To which are you referring, then ?—I refe to the one in Queen's Road West. Two men were arrested; no gambling gear. 3rd Novem- On &th gear arrested. her, last year, 57, Queen's Road West; six men and fan-tan December, Queen's Road West; seven men and gear. No. 85, Queen's Road West, on 21st May,
67
and 89.on the sane date; four men and gear in each case. No. 57 again on 14th May, four men and gear; 85, same date, five men arrested and gambling gear. Nos. 59 and 87, Queen's Road West on the 6th July; five men and gear arrested. In all these cases I have it down that they were reported by Inspector Witchell.
I received various complaints about these houses-coolies gambling on the roof and so forth.
Defendant-Do you remember at any time telling me not to trouble about coolie houses?— I remember in connection with that house you reported to me in Jubilee Street.
The Magistrate-Telling him what-not to trouble about coolie houses P
Witness-No, your Worship, I said I wanted to catch some of the long-coated gentlemen and not coolies. I meant that I wanted a decent seizure and not à lot of coolies.
His Worship-Quite so; not crolies as in nearly all these cases.
Witness-I am not particularly referring to his cases but to the majority of gambling cases.
Defendant-Can you say whether the masters were fined and convicted in connection with those warrants which were executed P-No, I cannot say.
Defendant-You have visited Kwai Wa Lane, I presume ?--I have been in Kwai Wa Lune.
Is there anything particular about these houses which would attract your attention to them as being gambling houses?--No, I do not think so, but if gambling was going on in them there would probably be evidence of it. There is nothing in the houses per se to attract your attention, but if gambling was being conducted there would be evidence of it.
You know what happens when a European in plain clothes or uniform goes near these places P
Yes.
Do they leave any signs of gambling going on then P-My opinion is that if gambling is going on in a house on any considerable scale a police officer who knows what he is about he may not notice it the first day-would notice something odd about that house and that street.
By the rules and regulations no police officer is allowed to enter a house or to send anyone into a house to ascer.ain if public gambling is going on ?—No.
You say you raided No. 3, East Street and
found a quantity of gambling accounts P-Yes. Was there anything in these gambling ac- counts referring to Kwai Wa Lane P-No.
What accounts, if any, refer to me?—There are accounts in the books.
What entries ?-To the effect that money at Will you kindly produce that book f the rate of $1 a day was paid to you.
Witness-Your Worship, I prefer not to pro- duce that book.
Mr. Francis-I think, Mr. May, the book must be produced, and I would ask your Wor- ship to direct that the entries be covered up and sealed except those relating to the defend- ant.
Defendant Your Worship, I think that is not correct. Any entries there which might be taken as referring to me might refer to other people. I think the entries should be read now in court so that there shall be a proper and just inquiry into it.
Witness-Do you wish me to produce the book?
Defendant-Yes. I demand that the book be put in, your Worship,
Witness then left the box and fetched the. book from his office. He produced it in court.
The Magistrate-That is the book P
Witness-Yes.
It is the book which has been asked for P-Yes. Defeu lant-Is that the book which refers to money stated to have been received by me?—Yes. Is that the only book?-That is the only book that refers to you particularly.
Defendant-I should like to see the entry, your Worship.
His Worship-Certainly. Mr. Francis-The entries can be translated
and read.
Defendant-I am entitled to see the entries. The Magistrate (to witness)-Will you mark