AN OPIUM SMOKER

Evening Star, Issue 15480, 30 April 1914, Page 2

AN OPIUM SMOKER

[Special to the Star.] LVVERCARGILL, April WAt the Police Court this afternoon, before Mr Hutchinson, S.M., George Yep Yin was charged with keeping opium in his possession in a form suitable for smofcmg. Mr Anderson represented the Customs, and Mr Maodonald appeared for the defence. Counsel for. defendant submitted that it was unnecessary for the prosecution to call evidence;, as it was ad.Sli.tted that a quantity of opium and a pipe were found in the possession of accused, who kept a laundry in partnership with his uncle, Yep Lum. This opium was kept for medicinal purposes, defendant having been in the habit of smoking ono pipeful a week after a hard day's toitf The prosecution insisted on calling evidence. , ..*,,, Sergeant Bingham said he visited the premises and inquired' if defendant possessed opium. He received a negative answer. The place was searched, and a lamp, a quantity of opium, a pipe, and other apparatus were found; also some opium ash, which had been used. Nest morning the place was again raided, hut nothing was found. George Yep Luni, defendant's part' ner, after being sworn (this taking 90 minutes to perform), said that no one smoked on the premises except defendant, who did so after he had finished -work on Saturday night* He suffered from lung trouble. His Worship: This lung trouble only comes on every Saturday night? Witness: That's right. Continuing, witness said that he himself suffered from lung trouble, but he would not smoke opium- Defendant only smoked for 10. minutes, then went back to his shop. Defendant gave similar evidence. He said he had smoked in China, when he was 10 yeara eld. Now ha only smoked when his lungs troubled him, which was after a liard day's work. Ha visited Dr Pottinger, who advised him to smoke a little opium to alleviate the pain. The case was adjourned till tomorrow, so that the evidence of Dr Pottinger might be heard-