NOT OPIUM

Evening Post, Volume CXV, Issue 82, 7 April 1933, Page 8

NOT OPIUM

PELLETS FOUND ON CHINESE

The , final episode of the recent police raid on opium dens in Tory and Haininf ' Streets was heard at the Magistrate's Court today when Mr. E. Page, S.M., dismissed cases against an old Chinaman Ah Hum, who was charged with being found wrongfully on premises at 4 Haining Street used for the purpose of smoking opium, and also with being found in possession of prepared opium. Mr. J. Meltzer, who appeared for the accused, said that an analysis of the pellets found in Ah Hum's possession had been made, and proved negative to a test for opium. The pellets consisted of a Chinese herb used for' disorders of the stomach. Cdunsel submitted that in view of the analyst's report the charge of being in possession of prepared opium must necessarily fail. Giving evidence in connection with the charge of being found unlawfully on the premises, Ah Hum said that he was VG years of age and had no home or money. On the night of the raid he was being given food and shelter at 4 Haining Street. He was on the ground floor and opened the door of the washhouse to the police. He denied that he was on the premises for the purpose of smoking opium. In view of the report of the analyst the Magistrate dismissed the charge of being found in possession of prepared opium. Referring to the other charge Mr. Page said he thought the accused had . discharged the onus that was oh him to show that he was on the premises with [awful excuse.