Ah Chee Auckland

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CRUELTY TO A HORSE. A CHINAMAN BEFORE THE COURT

At the Police-Court to-day a Chinaman was brought before Mr T. Hutchison, S.M., for ill-treating a horse on Queen-street Wharf.

She Quing was charged that on the 20th December he did cruelly ill-treat a horse by working the same when it was suffering from a sore shoulder.

The defendant, through Ah Chee, who acted as interpreter, pleaded guilty.

Constable McNamara described the case as the worst one of cruelty that he had come across. The horse had a very sore shoulder, and blood was oozing from it.

It was explained by Ah Chee that he did not know the horse was sore. She Quing was in his employ and was delivering vegetables to a steamer at the wharf when the constable accosted him about the state of the horse's shoulders.

His Worship said the constable described the case as a bad one, and he pointed out to defendant that he was liable to go to gaol for two months for the offence. However a fine of £5 and costs would meet the case.

His Worship added if defendant op Ah Chee worked the hose again before it was better that he would send them to gaol.

Ah Chee remarked that he had got medicine to 'fix' the horse up. (Laughter.) Auckland Star, Volume XXX, Issue 4, 6 January 1899, Page 2

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ARREST OF AH CHEE.

An Chee the well-known local Chinese general dealer, was arrested to-day by Police-Detective Chrystal, on warrant, on a charge of feloniously recoiving £20 worth of stolen marine stores from three boys, Petersen, Marshall and Lynch, on or about rhe lOth inst. The accused will be broughb up us the Police Court to-morrow. Auckland Star, Volume XXIII, Issue 233, 19 September 1892, Page 4

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CHINESE MERCHANT BEFORE THE COURT.

AH CHEE COMMITTED FOR TRIAL.

A large number of persons were prosent ab ft c Police Courb yesterday, to witness the proceedings in tho prosecution of tho L e ll known Chinese merchant, Ah Chee, -bo was charged on remand with having, on the 10th September, receivol from four k o ys, named Alfred Pabtorson, Sydney Marshall, Ernest Marshall, and Maurice James Lynch, certain marine stores, consisting of brass boat-fittings, etc., of the tune of £20, the property of William Oliver, he, the said Ah Chee, well knowing the same to be stolen. Inspector Broham conducted tho caso for the prosecution. Thomas Quoi acted as interpreter, and Jlr Samuel Hesketh appeared on behalf of the prisoner. The first witness called pas Detective Chrystal, who deposed to arresting tho four boys. Subsequently, ho wenb to Ah Chee, told bim of the arrest, and eaid that the boys admitted the olffence, and confessed to having sold the articles to him (Ah Chee). Tho Chinaman denied having bought any such article- from any boys. Witness then W ent to Ah Ghee's store accompanied by the latter. He searched the store, and found several old dumps which did nob bolong to Oliver. On the 14th Soptember, witness went to Ah Chee's shop, and on gearching behind the counter he found several articles which Benjamin Oliver, who was with him, idontihed as his lather's property. —Accused explained that he had had the goods in his possession for months. On confronting the boys with thoChinaman, Peterson said that Ah Choc was tho man to whom the fittings had been sold. After the boys had been remanded witness went to Ah Chee's store at Parnell with one ot Oliver's apprentices called Maguiro. Tho apprentice identified certain articles which were there as belonging to his master. Witness then took the goods to the Chinaman's shop and askod the latter to account for thoir being in hia possession. Accused said he had had them for months, and could nob say from whom he had bought them. He had n* entry in his book of tho lato purchase of marine stores, and had no deecription of goods boughb. Witnesa arrested the accused on the 19th inst. In answer bo Mr Heeketh, witnesa aaid bhab he had known Ah Cheo for bhe lasb three years. He knew nothing against the man. He had often spoken to bun before, aud some yoais ago he warned the Chinaman that ib would be necessary to keep a record of bhe articles ho bought, in compliance with the Marine Stores Act of '67. Accused had in connection with this affair had otiered no objection to the detective searching his premises. William Oliver, brass founder, in Custom■troet, wenb into the box and identified the articles in Courb as his own property. Several of them were his own workmanship, One piece of brass produced had been lying on his counter for tho last six months. He was presenb with the detective when the latter asked Ah Cheo if he had bought the goods from the boys, the Chinaman eaid he had not. Witness said he had had dealinga with Ah Chee on a previous occasion when he sold him some copper sheeting from a vessel. Ho knew nothing against Ah Chee. His opinion was that Ah Chee could speak English fluently. George Hyde, fitter, in the employ of Mr Oliver identified the articles as the property of thia employer by certain marks. Walter Maguire, one of Mr _ Oliver's apprentices, corroborated the evidence of fcho previous witnesses. Benjamin Ollivor also identified the articles in Courb. Peter Petersen, father of Alfred Petersen, deposed tbab ho visited Ah Chee, and asked him whether any little boyß had beon selling him any brass. Th 6 accused said thab there had been some littlo boys at bis shop gelling brass and copper articles. Sydney Marshall, 9 years old, deposed that he and the three other boys stole the brass from Mr Oliver's store, and sold the game to Ah Chee. Witness identified Ah Chee as the man to whom the braaa work Was sold. Alfred Petersen (8 yeara), Maurice Lynch {8 yeara), and Ernest Marshall (13 years), also gave evidence for the prosecution. The further hearing of tho caae waa then adjourned till to-day. TO-DAY'S PROCEEDINGS. Ah Chee deposed that he was a merchant' Carrying on busineaa in Auckland. De had a man named Chas. Lee who acted as accountant and received goods. He bought small quantities of copper and metal for him both Irom men and boys. Lee had been managing since before Christmas time. The last transaction that witness had personally waa from Mr Oliver, about the 31at of August. Witness did not at any time buy mebal from the boys. He recognised the face of the Jboy Petersen. Witness remembered an interview with Detective Chrystal on the first occasion, when the detective asked witness if he had boughb any metal as a lob had been stolen. Witness replied, "No, I have not bought any." Detective Chrystal asked witness where he put the metal he bought. Witnesa replied that the metal waa at the store in Mechanics' Bay. Witnesß accompanied Detective Chrystal to make a seaich of the Parnell store from which Detective Chrystal took away a iot of old copper nails. The next day Detective Chrystal found a piece of metal under the counter in his Queen-street shop. Witnoss told the detective that he had had that priece of metal two or threo months. Witnesa did not remember seeing any of the articles that wero produced yeaterday in court before. Thore waa never any attempt to conceal a transaction when metal waa bought. Detective Chrystal told witness that there was no entry of anything in the book since 31ab August, 1892. This waß on account of there being no entry from the day book in which the entry was first made by the person buying. The entries were generally made by Chas. Lee. Witness had a man named Pratt working for him for one week and two days from the 12th September. This was on account of Lee being in the Hospital. Detective Chrystal did not show witness the articles in tiie presence of Olive and McGuire. The detective did show witneas a lob of metal, but he waa nob sure if ib was bhe same as that produced in Court. Chas. Lee deposed thab he had ofben given boys bhe same price for mebal as he would to a man. He had never given more than 2d or 3d per lb for metal.. Witnesa recognised the boy Peteraen. He had never purchased mebal on a Sunday. Witness remembered buying some of the pieces of metal produced, and he had purchased metal from Petersen. Ah Chee personally had nothing to do with the purchase of the goods produced. To Inspector Broham: Ah Chee dis- Biiesed me from his service, but has taken me on since he was arrested. This was the case, and Dr. Giles committed Ah Chee to take his trial ab the nexb Criminal Sittings of the Supreme Court, bail being allowed, accused himself to find turety for £100, and two sureties of £25 each. Auckland Star, Volume XXIII, Issue 231, 28 September 1892, Page 5

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RAID ON A CHINESE SHOP.

Acting on information received, Detective Hughes,' accompanied" by Sergeant Prafcfc, made a raid last" evening on a grocery store n Wakefield-street kept by. a Chinaman named Ah Chee, and seized 12 cases of Chinese brandy - and other varieties of spirituous- liquid dear to. the. Celestial palate. Ah Chee's shop has for a long time been a rendezvous for his compatriots, and it has-been an open secret that opiumsmoking and fan-tan' were amongst the Amusements provided by Ah Chee for his almond-eyed patrons. When the proprietor had recovered from the surprise caused by the descent of the police, he explained that the liquor was Chinese wine, and- was made from the decoction of -a root. He stated that he had received it from Sydney, that it had .passed through t"he?Customs in the' ordinary manner, and that he had paid os per gallon duly on it. In a back room Detective Hughes found an opium den—beds, pipes and all the other ■requisites complete, while down stairs was an apartment apparently used as a gamingroom, as "there were a number of faii-tan counters, etc., lying about. The bottles are valued at 4s 2d each. Auckland Star, Volume XVIII, Issue 152, 30 June 1887, Page 5

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A CHINESE MERCHANT IN TROUBLE

All CHEE BEFORE THE COURT-

A Chinese named Ah Chee was charged at tho Police Court this morning with having, on or about the 10th of September, feloniously and fraudulently received from Alfred Perer Peterson, Sydnoy and Edward j Ernest Marshall 3 iJozen brass rubber ' bands, _olb of brass dumps, 2 half-engine j bu*het, 6 sels of brass rudder patterns, 4 I sprays of brass washer patterns, 121b iof boat cleats, 4 brass chain platos, 6 guy plates, 2 gun metal rings, one composition pattern, six finished brass chain plates, 6 brass nail | Dattcrns, of the total value of £20, the i property of William Olliver, the said Ah j Chee well knowing tho articles to have ! been feloniously stolen. j There was also a second charge that the i defendant, on or about the 10th of September, 1392, did purchase marine stores from Alfred Peter Peterson, Sydney and Edward Ernest Marshall, and. Maurice Lynch, all apparently under 16 years of ago, to wit, 9 yoars, 8 years, 1.1 years, and 9 years respectively. A third charge was to tho effect that the defendant, being a dealer in old metal, was on tho 14th of Soptomber found in possession of 1 half engine bush, 1 composition i pattern, 4 sprays of washer patterns, 1 piece of machinery, 1 pioce of rudder band pattern, which woro stolen by Alfred Peter Peterson, Sydney and Edward Ernest Marshall, and Maurice James Lynch, who were on the 17th of September, 1802, duly convicted of stealing the same, he, the said Ah Chee, having reasonable cause at the time he received them to believo tho articles to have been unlawfully obtained. Mr S. Hesketh appeared for the defendant, who pleaded nob guilty. He said that by arrangomont it was proposed to adjourn the hearing of the caso until next Tuesday, Dr. J. Giles, R.M., granted the adjournment, defendant's bail boing enlarged. Auckland Star, Volume XXIII, Issue 234, 20 September 1892, Page 5

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Receiving Stolen Goods.—Ah Chee, a Chinaman, was indicted and charged that on or about the 11th September, he did receive certain goods, the property of William Oliver, knowing them to be stolen.— Accused was defended by Mr E. Heskoth and Mr S. Hesketh. He pleaded not guilty.—Counsel stated that the accused knew the English language, so that under the circumstances tlioro was no interpreter. When the jury were being empanelled, the accused freely exercised the right to challenge. — Mr Tole stated the case for the Crown. He said that the prisoner was indicted on a charge of receiving a number of things. They were principally brass or other kinds of metal, and were manufactured articles. Accused was a Chinese restaurant and store keeper, and kept a marine store in Mechanic's Bay for storing old metal. In September last four boys ranging from eight to thirteen years of age stole from the pattern shop of Mr Oliver, situated in Custom street West and near Ah Chee's shop, a number of brass and metal goods. These boys, or oiie of them, entered Mr Oliver's shop by means of a broken pane in the window. Inside tbeshop were a numberof brass washers and otherpieces of machinery, which the boy handed to his companions outside, and this continued for two or three days. The boys having got the articles went toaccU3ed's placeand disposed of them. The boys would depose that they went to Ah Chee's shop twice on Saturday the 11th of September, and t|ie day following, and sold the goods,-and they would further depose that they received from Ah Chee such sums as 2s 7d, Is and 2s 6d for the articles and divided the spoil between them. The boys took a trip to the North Shore on the Sunday, but id came on to rain and they returned and going to Ah Chee's made another " rise." The boys were arrested and convicted at the Police Court and received a birching. After the trial of the boys suspicion fell on Ah Chee, and the detectives went to his retaurant in Queen-street and his marine etorein Mechanic'B Bay. Some of the stolen things were recovered. Behind the counter in Ah Chee's shop, Mr Oliver identified a half-bush (a block of brass), which corresponded with the other part the owner had in his possession, and also a brass rudder band. When Ah Chee was asked how the half-bush came into his possession, ho stated that he had had it for three months. Mr Tole went on to say the owner would depose that he had this particular article in bis shop on the Saturday. Under the Marino Stores Act dealers are required to enter the purchase and sale of goods, but since the 31st of August, ten days before the goods had been stolen, Ah Chee had made no entry of the particular articles stolen. Detective Chry6tal was called and deposed to searching Ah Chee's restaurant and marine store and finding certain articles (produced), which Mr Oliver identified as his property. Ah Chee denied to witness that he purchased the articles from the boys. — Edward Hughes, detective, was then called by Mr Tole, and deposed that the accused was convicted of sly grogeelling in 1887, and also convicted of having light weights in his possession.—William Oliver gave evidence, and identified certain brass and metal articles as his property.— Geo. Hyde who was formerly in the employ of Mr Oliver identified the " home-bush," as he had fitted part of it to the bed plate of the engine.—Walter McGuire, an apprentice in Mr Oliver's employ, also gave evidence. There are a number of witnesses to be examined, and the case was proceeding when we went to press. Auckland Star, Volume XXIII, Issue 287, 2 December 1892, Page 4

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ALLEGED GARROTTING.

It is now some years since garrotting has been practised in Auckland. An attempt has, however, been made to revive bhis system of robbing. Ib appears that lasb Monday evening aboub 10.30 o'clock, Mr Ah Chee was going home bo his markob gardens near bhe Domain. Suddenly he felb an arm bhrown round his neck. ' At first he was nob much alarmed, as he thought ib was only some one joking. He soon, however, found bhab ib was no joke, for his mouth began to fill wibh blood. He sbruggled violently, more especially as he felb a hand trying: to search his pockets. At bhe time he had £30 on his person. After a desperate struggle he succeeded in freeing himself from his assailant, and as ib was a moonlight night he was enabled bo recognise the man by whom he had been assaulted. Imformation of the occurrence was given to the police, and Detectives Herbert and Hughes investigated the matter. Last night they arrested a man named Frederick Irwin, alias Ferdinand Danker, on suspicion. Irwin appeared ab the Police Court this morning, before Messrs J. Baber and S. Y. Collins, justices. He was charged with having assaulted Ah Chee with inbenb to rob him. On bhe application of Inspector Broham the prisoner was remanded for a week, to allow him time to prepare the case. Auckland Star, Volume XXI, Issue 156, 4 July 1890, Page 3