OPIUM ADDICTS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVII, Issue 273, 17 November 1936, Page 17

OPIUM ADDICTS.

CHINESE FINED £50. i RAID BY DETECTIVES. Two recent raids by detectives on Chinese premises in Grey's Avenue had their sequel in the Police Court yesterday. Stanley Chin Home, aged 46, for whom Mr. Dickson appeared, pleaded guilty to a charge of using premises which he occupied at 91, Grey's Avenue, for the smoking of opium. Detective-Sergeant Meiklejohn said that at 11 p.m. on November 7, with Defectives Brady and Moore, he raided the house. Taking a ladder he and his fellow detectives climbed on to the roof. Detective Brady saw Horne in his shirt and underpants in one room, in the act of throwing something on the fire and also using fat to make a stronger draught. Four other Chinese were seen lying on the floor. The place was fitted up for the smoking of opium. Horne told the detectives he had burned the pipe when the detectives were trying to get in. "He has been up before and is addicted to the drug," added Mr. Meiklejohn. Mr. Dickson pointed out that Horne had not been in trouble since 1934. Unfortunately, he was an opium addict and counsel asked that only a moderate line be imposed. Mr. Wyvern Wilson: It would probably be in his own interests to make the fine a large one, and the alternative a long one so that hp cannot get opium. Mr. Dickson said Horne took opiur< only to alleviate pain. Europeans were not interested or associated. "We should be sorry for these men," added counsel. The magistrate 9aid it was not only the individual he had to consider in such cases. Mr. Dickson: Of course, for a Chinese it is a case of "Thou slialt not smoke opium or gamble." It is only because of the Chinese that these continued raids are being made. Horne was fined £50, or three months' imprisonment, the magistrate refusing to allow time to pay the fine. Lee On, aged 35, for whom Mr. Dyson appeared, pleaded guilty to a charge of using premises at 51, Grey Avenue, for the smoking of opium. The raid on this place was made at 9.30 p.m. on November 1, said DetectiveSergeant Meiklejohn. Lee On lived there alone, and was the only person found by the detectives. The same place had been raided previously. Lee On had three previous convictions. Mr. Dyson said accused was an opium addict, but he had caused no trouble or harm to anyone else. "He was fined £80 in July, 1935, and nine months later he was fined a further £25, and now he is in trouble again," said the magistrate, who fixed the. penalty at £50 or three months' imprisonment.