OPIUM SMOKERS.

Auckland Star, Volume LX, Issue 83, 9 April 1929, Page 5

OPIUM SMOKERS.

FOUR CHINESE IN COURT.

SEQUEL TO CUSTOMS RAID.

PLEA MADE FOR AX ADDICT.

As a sequel to a raid on a Chinese opium den at 52, Grcv Avenue, on the nicrht of March 18 by two Customs officers and Detective Xalder, four Chinese. Ah Him: (35). Ah Yee (2S). Wong: Chung (4S) and Ah Wong (2S), appeared before Mr. F. K. Hunt, S.M.. at the Policp Court this morning. each being charged with having prepared opium in his possession. Chief Detective Hammond prosecuted, while Mr. L. P. Learv appeared for the quartet. Wong Chung was further charged with overstaying his temporary permit to remain in the Dominion. To this charge he pleaded guilty. Mr. .T. Mcintosh, collector of Customs, said Cluing had been twelve months over his time.

Wounded by Robbers,

Mr. Learv said Chung before he left China was set upon by robbers and injured in the leg. His family sent him out to Kew Zealand for a trip and provided him with £00. They promised to send him his return fare, but when he wrote to them they failed to do so. He was stranded here and had been out of work. He had no money with which to pay a fine or pay his fare back to China. Chung was fined £2.1. or two nioiiths' imprisonment, and was ordered to be deported whence he came. Respecting the raid on March 18. two Customs officers gave evidence. They found both front and hack doors heavily barred with three stout iron bars. Climbing on to a lean-to," they managed to reach a top window, which was covered with an iron screen. After knocking thf iron apart with a jemmy, they gained entrance. The four accused were found in a room. Each was reclining on mats. There were two opium lamps burning, and four pipes were found in the room. There was no furniture in the room, which was filled with sweet-smelling opium smoke. As soon as they entered, the four Chinese scattered and ran downstairs. Ah Hing was found in the kitchen pouring opium out into the sink, while another had quickly placed several pipes into the fireplace. These were recovered.

"Not His Own Master."

Mr. Leary said it would bo admitted that Ah Hing was smoking opium. However, the other three men would each deny that they had smoked opium. Thov were merely visitors to the house. Ah. Hing had smoked for a. long time and had suffered imprisonment some time ago. when he had been caught. He was an habitual smoker and not master of his own volition. "He is also a sick man," said Mr. Leary, "and for some time past has been receiving treatment from Dr. Gunson. Opium smokincr with him is a form of insanity and he cannot be regarded as a criminal. To put him in gaol would be nothing but a travesty on the real position. Two years ago I appeared for another Chinese. Gin Buck, who was at that time a worse case than Ah Hing. He had been treated V>y Dr. Gunson, who sent him away to the country. He was a physical wreck at the time, but now he is a picture ot health and as chirpy as a sparrow. Lock at him, sir. I have brought him to court to show you." Gin Buck walked forward and was inspected by Mr. Hunt. He certaiulv lookcd well. Mr. Leary added that Ah Hing was anxious to free himself from thraldom if that were possible. "If he were sent to gaol, as he must surely be, for he could not pay a fine, counsel trusted that the magistrate would see that continuation of treatment for him was made possible. "I will see to that," said the magistrate.

"His Only Hope."

Dr. r.nnson was then called. He said he had been treating Ah Hing. who was not nearly as bad as Gin Buck had been. Gin Buck had completely given uj» smoking opium and was now in a responsible position, doing well. Dr. Gunson considered that if" Ah Hing went into the country for eipht or ten month# and pave up opium he would get we'L It was his only hope. Ah Hing then went into the witness box and shouldered all the blame. ITe admitted he had been smoking. but said the other three Chinese were smokin» tobacco when the Customs officers ontered. ' I have no doubt about tlie matter at all,' said Mr. Hunt, "four Chinese and four pipes. Then a. room lilled with opium smoke. Ah Hing, the keeper of the house, is fined £00, or three months* imprisonment, and the other three each lines of £-5 or two months."