Mary. Armstrong, 2 North Szechuen Road, was charged for that she on June 1, 1912, and on divers days thereafter between that date and August 21, 1912, at Shanghai then being the owner of a certain house known as % North Honan Road Extension, unlawfully, kno. ingly and wilfully did permit said house to be used by a certain other person, to wit, by one Jose Castanada for the purpose of unlawful gaming carried on therein contrary to the Statute 17 and 18 Vie., C. 38.
Mr. J. C. E. Douglas and Mr. 8. H. IcKean prosecuted on behalf of the Crown, while Mr. Francis Ellis appeared for the defendant.
When the charge was read over, the defendant said that it was Garcia and not Castanada who was the lessee.
His Worship proceeded to explain the penalties, ete. which could he imposed in the event of her electing to be tried summarily or by a jury, and he asked how she wished to be tried.
After consultation with his client Mr. Ellis'aid that she was prepared that his Worship should take jurisdiction in this matter and that he should deal with the case as it was presented by the acting Crown Advocate. He wished to point out that had only just been instructed and he thought that Mr. Douglas would) lace that it might be necessary to have a short adjournment until next day so that he might go into the facts of this case with his client.
Mr. Douglas said that this was a very simple matter. He would prove that Mrs. Armstrong was the owner of the property, and that gambling had been going on there. He would also prove that she had been warn-by the: police some months previously that this was going on, and he would ask his Worship to enter, 'a conviction.
Evidence was then called.
Herbert Phillips, H. M. Vice Consul at Shanghai, said that he was at present in charge of the land office. He produced one of the re. cord books showing that Paoshan lot No. 18 was registered inthe name of Mary Wilson. The boundaries of the property were mentioned, but no mention was made of the buildings on it.
At this juncture the defendant stated that lot 161 was also being occupied by the lessee.
His Worship asked if Mr. Ellis wished his client to make these statements now.
Mr. Ellis said that he did not.
His Worship remarked that it would be better if she made no state monte at this stage.
Det.-Sub.-Insp. Reeves was then called and in answer to Mr. Douglas said that on Saturday afternoon he received a warrant forthe arrest of Mrs. Armstrong, otherwise known as Mrs. Wilson.
His Worship—It is Mrs. Armstrong.
Mr. Douglas—Outside the door is the name Wilson, and I believe both names are used.
Proceeding witness said that visited the house 22 North chuen Road on Saturday, accompaaied by Mr. McKean. She was not there when they called, but they saw the son, and informed him that they had come from the Consulate and wanted to see his mother. On being informed that she was out,—they showed their authority and asked for certain papers, letters to cer tain people, bank books, ete. He said that the things were in his mother's rou, and he showed them where they were. They took away certain papers, giving @ receipt them, At 9 a.m, that day he went to 92 North Szechuen Road and so" Mrs. Armstrong, informing her that he had a warrant for her arrest He read this over to her, cautioned her, and she made no statement. He produced a letter copy buck handed him by Mr. Howard Wilson and letter given him by Mrs. Armstrong. 'A lease dated June 14, 1909, in the name of Mr. Joseph Schubert was produced, this being for three years, to June 30, 1912, There was also 'a lease dated October 1, 1911, for one year with the option of renewal, the lessee being Jose Castanada, while they had a third one dater October 27, 1911, also to Jose Cast-canada, but cancelled.
Mr. Douglas asked whether al No. 2 North Szechwen Road there were not certain boarders.
Defendant said that there were boarders, only residents.
Witness produced a list of the re sidents. This had been written out by Mr. Howard Wilson, the resid ents being Mr. Castanada—
His Worship—The list speaks for itself, you need not read it.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.