OPIUM ADDICT.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVI, Issue 198, 22 August 1935, Page 20

OPIUM ADDICT.

QUESTION OF PUNISHMENT, CHINESE FINED £25. Magistrate and counsel discussed for several minutes in the Police Court yesterday the best course to take with a Chinese opium addict. Albert Hong Duk, aged 33, described as a clerk, pleaded guilty to a charge of having prepared opium in his posseesion on August 18. Senior Detective Hall said that at 11.30 p.m. on August 18, while on duty, in Wellesley Street, Detective-Sergeant McHugh and Detective Brady saw Hong Duk enter a boardiiighouae where a Chinese named Chang Fun lived. Hong Duk later came out dressed in pyjamas and wearing an overcoat. When accosted he had two packages of opium in his possession. He said he had bought the opium for 4/(i. Hong Duk had a list of previous convictions.

Mr. J. F. W. Dickson described Hong Duk as a man whe was addicted to the drug. Twice recently he had been before the Court and one of his fines was still unpaid. There was no doubt that he found it most difficult to break himself of the habit of taking opium. Counsel asked that in view of the fact that Hong Duk had beon unwell recently, he should be dealt with as leniently as was possible.

Mr. Wyvern Wilson, S.M.: He was before tho Court on July 4 and again on Julv 10.

Mr. Dickson: That is quite correct. Ho is an unfortunate victim of the drug, and nothing in the world will stop him. There is no suggestion that he has been trafficking in opium. " Make the Fine Heavy. ,, Mr. Wilson said the only way would be to make the fine heavy, with an accordingly heavy alternative of prieon, so that Hong Duk would be segregated. Mr. Dickeon: It is really a medical case. "We have not got any part of prison put apart where such cases as these can bo treated," said the magistrate. "He might of course, be sent to Roto Roa Island." Counsel remarked that no treatment would help such men. Mr. Wilson: A heavy fine, or imprisonment, will act as a deterrent to other members of the public and will make these Chinese opium houses unpopular. "But this is not a public matter," said Mr. Dickson. "It is," rejoined tho magistrate. "There is the Chinese public to be considered. All I can do is to make the fine heavy and keep him away for three months. I have no power to order reformative detention." "Oiir prison system is quite out of date and makes no provision to deal, with these cases," said counsel. "However, I will leave the matter in your| Worship's hands." Hong Duk was fined £25 and costs 10/, in default, three months imprisonment. Another Chinese Remanded. Chang Fun, also arrested on August 18, was charged with being found in possession of prepared Opium, and further with having in his possession a pipe and other utensils used in connection with the smoking of opium. At accused's request he was remanded until ricxt Wednesday, bail being renewed.