OPIUM SMOKING

Grey River Argus, 7 December 1932, Page 8

OPIUM SMOKING

In Greymouth CHARGE AGAINST CHINESE. IN GRESSON STREET ABODE? As the result of a raid on their abode in Grosson Street yesterday, just before noon, by Sergeant J. Smyth and Constable Downes, two obi Chinese rest- 1 dents were before the Magistrate’s Court yesterday afternoon on charges of having in their possession opium pipes ami other utensils for use in the smoking of opium, whilst one of them was charged with having prepared opium in his possession. Mr J. M. Bunt. J.P.. was un the Bench. .Ah Wee, aged 67 years, was charged that on December 6. 1932, at Greymouth, he was in possession of pipes ami other utensils fur use in connection with the smoking of opium. He was further charged that at Greymouth on December Gth hi* was found in possession of prepared opium. Ah Fun, aged 77 years, was charged that on December 6, .1932, at Grey' mouth, he was in possession of pipes and other ulensils for use in connec-. lion with the smoking of opium. Tho charges were laid under tin- Dangerous Drugs Ad, 1927. “Which is -Ah AVee ’ .ptest i<in<‘<l the Glerk of the Court. “This is he here,” said Sergeant. Smyth. The Clerk of the Court then asked if an interpreter were available, and two young Chinese residents offered their services. “Any objection to swearing with the Bible?” he asked tho chosen interpreter. “No,” he replied in an ol’fbumlocl manner, and the Clerk of the Court enquired of an assistant: “Have you got a mat<h?’’ Lighting the match. the Clerk said: “Aon state you will faithfully interpret the Chinese language in the English language and tho. English language hi the Chinese language, and if you do not. may your life go out as this match goes out. The interpreter then blew the vesta out. Tho interpreter, following the reading of tho charges, engaged in a consultation with Ah Woe Sergeant .Smyth asked for a remain! until to-morrow. Tho accused, he said, eouhl only bo remanded for -I8 hours. There won* two charges against Ah Wee. The accused would be making application for bail. As they wore liable to a maximum tine of £lOO. he asked that hail be forthcoming. Both accused were remanded to Decomber Sth, bail being allowed iu sell £5O, and one surety of £.»O. Bail was fort heomi ng.