SEQUEL IN COURT

Dominion, Volume 28, Issue 285, 29 August 1935, Page 7

SEQUEL IN COURT

"Opium” That Was Treacle PROSECUTION FAILS A sequel to the discovery of opium tins filled with treacle and dripping in a butter-box at Thorndon railway .station on Monday was heard in the Wellington Court yesterday, when Robert Sydney Johnstone, a salesman, aged 28, was charged with being idle and disorderly. The case was dismissed by the magistrate, Mr. E. D. Mosley. Detective-Sergeant L. Revell, who prosecuted, said that on Monday morning a butter-box arrived at the Thorndon railway station addressed to “It S. Johnstone.” The contents became visible when the box was damaged in transit. ' The box was examined by customs officials and Detective-Ser-geant Tricklebauk, who found 98 opium tins in it. At about 11.30 a.m. Johnstone called at the station and claimed the box, paying 9/- freight for it. He was taken to the detective office, and the contents of two or three of the tins were examined. All that was found was something that appeared to be treacle and some mutton fat. When accused was asked to account for his livelihood he said his name was Johnstone, he was a salesman, and had no fixed abode. Detective-Sergeant W. Tripklebank said he told accused that he had reason to believe that the tins had recently contained opium.. On his arrival at the detective office accused opened a tin with a pocket-knife, put his finger in and licked it. “That’s not opium,” he said, and asked witness to lick, but he declined. Accused said he had arrived from Auckland that morning. He had 8/- on him. Mr. J. Meltzer, for accused, asked if the magistrate held that there was a prima facie case.

Mr. Mosley: No. Mr. Meltzer: I submit there is no case to answer.

Mr. Mosley: The ease is dismissed.