STARTED TO RUN.

Auckland Star, Volume LXXI, Issue 13, 16 January 1940, Page 3

STARTED TO RUN.

CHINESE CHASED.

HAD FIVE OPIUM PIPES.

FINED BY MAGISTRATE.

When Ah Mov, a Chinese gardener, of 39, saw Detectives J. Cossill and W. Mahood in Grey's Avenue yesterday afternoon, he started to run. So did the detectives. They caught him and found Ah Mov in possession of live opium pipes which showed signs of having been recently used. Ah Mov was brought before Mr. J. Morling, S.M. in the Police Court to-day and lie pleaded guilty to a charge of being found in possession of five opiuiN pipes used in connection with the smoking of opium. Mr. J. F. W. Dickson represented the Chinese. Detective-Sergeant McHugh said Ah Moy liad just left an opium den when lie ran away from the detectives. On being caught lie was found in possession of the opium pipes. He was last before the Court oil a similar charge in 1937. Mr. Dickson said Ah Moy was a gardener in poor circumstances. There was no question of being the occupier of any opium premises or having anything to do with the smoking of opium. "Over the Christmas holidays some of the Chinese indulged in the smoking of opium," added counsel. ''Ah Moy was merely taking the pipes away to extract the opium seconds for preparation for use for medicinal purposes. His guiltymind gave him away yesterday, for when he saw the detectives he started to run. Had he kept on walking probablehe would not have been before your Worship today. In view of all the' circumstances I would ask that only the minimum tine of £12 10/ be imposed." Ah Moy was fined £12 10/, and lie was allowed one week in which to pay.