"BLACK SMOKE."

Auckland Star, Volume LXIII, Issue 209, 3 September 1932, Page 9

"BLACK SMOKE."

OPIUM DEN RAIDED. PROBLEM OF ADDICTS. « THEY SHOULD MIGRATE." BUILDING NOW PADLOCKED. "In an inner room, lying on the floor, were eight Chinese, and the two detectives had to step over their halfunconscious bodies to blow out tho opium lamps," said Detective Sergeant Kelly in the Police Court this morning when he described what occujred during a raid made on premises fitted up as an opium smoking Cen in Grey Avenue yesterday afternoon. Ah Jim (33) was charged with being the occupier of 55, Grey Avenue, which premises were being use:'l for the smoking of opium. He pleaded guilty. Eighteen other Chines© who were arrested were each charged with heing found on the premises. The majority pleaded guilty, one or two others trying to excuse themselves by stating that they went in to see a friend. Detective Sergeant Kelly said Detectives Nalder and McWhirter kept the house under observation and, awaiting a favourable opportunity, walked in behind a Chinese who went in for a smoke. The detectives completely took the occupants by surprise. In one room upstairs were eight Chinese under the influence of opium, while in another room were eleven Chinese, all except one being practically undressed. The opium lamps were alight and several pipes were on the floor. A considerable quantity of opium, prepared and otherwise, also some ready for sale, pipes, and a pair of scales for weighing opium, were found. "The premises were exclusively fitted up for opium smoking.and were heavily barred and bolted," added Mr. Kelly. "It is the same place raided a few weeks ago, when the detectives had to chop a hole in the roo* and drop down to the floors helow. The owners of the property have now taken possession and have padlocked the doors, so the Chinese will have to look for another building to carry on their nefarious practice. If counsel for these Chinese suggests that they are addicts and must have opium on account of illness, well then, they should migrate to some other place if they want to emoke." Ah Jim was fined £50. Counsel, who appeared for six of tho others found on the premises, pointed out that the type of offence was confined exclusively to Chinese— Mr. F. K. Hunt: Yes, because we keep, a check on them and raid opium dens so often. "In Java the authorities license housee and supply Chinese with a certain amount of opium, but, of course, that is not in New Zealand," eaid counsel. Counsel added that at least one of the men foimd on the premises had a legitimate excuse for being there. He was fully clothed, and it was not suggested that he went there to smoke. Some of the others also did not smoke opium. The magistrate eaid the men found on the premises were in the same position as Europeans found in a gambling house. "The minimum penalty is £12 10/, and I will have to fine them all that sum, in default two months' imprisonment. They can go to prison if they cannot pay.", In one case two weeke was allowed in which to pay the fine.