Chinese In Auckland Found Smoking Opium

Press, Volume C, Issue 29555, 3 July 1961, Page 16

Chinese In Auckland Found Smoking Opium

tNew Zealand Press Association)

AUCKLAND. July 1. , When the 'police special duties branch raided 69 Greys avenue at 8.45 p.m. on I June 16 they found in an upstairs room, hazy with opium smoke, several Chinese, some lying on couches, Mr N. G. Howes, the police prosecutor, said yesterday. Eight Chinese, aged between 58 and 76, were charged before Mr J. W. Kealy. S.M., in the Auckland Magistrate’s Court with offences associated with opiutn. Mr Howes said the room was fitted out with couches and the necessary paraphernalia for opium smoking. All the men in the room were elderly. retired Chinese addicts. Mr R. I. Baker, for the Chinese, said the case was one of the first under the new legislation which repealed the minimum penalties for the offences. Appar-

ently the legislature had thought the penalties too hard. "In the case of an elderly addict," said Mr Kealy, "it is probably useless to talk pious platitudes to, him and tell him to give it up. The object of this legislation is to protect the young. "Quite frankly it seems :o me idle to inflict heavy punishments on men who have been addicted' for many years." For being found in possession of an opium pipe Wong Gin. Wong Kong and Ah So were each fined £lO w.th costs. For being found in an opium den Ah Kow was fined the same amount and costs. Wong Gow was fined £25 and costs for permitting his premises to be used tor opium smoking, and £lO fines were imposed on Ar Lowe. Wong Gow. Ah Chee and Jew Lim for being found in possession of opium.