OPIUM SMOKING

Hokitika Guardian, 15 January 1935, Page 2

OPIUM SMOKING

RESULT OF RAID,

(Per Press Association.— Copyright.)

WELLINGTON, January 14. The police paid a visit to a house in Frederick Street on Saturday night, and finding on the premises of opium smoking requisites resulted in the appearance at the Court of six Chinese, and also two Europeans, one of the latter being a woman. Evidence of a watch being maintained on the house on' different days between November 2 and last Saturday was given. Over that period 132 Chinese had been seen to enter the premises and 97 to leave.

It was also revealed that a number of white women had also been there at different times.

On Saturday .night opium “seconds” were found in the woman’s bedroom, and upstairs there were the tops of pipes. No pipe stems could be found, until one of the Chinese produced one from a chimney.

Opium fumes could be smelt as soon as the house was entered. The police found also a “slush” lamp, the glass of which was hot, and also the pipes, whose bowls were hot.

Wall Lai was fined £3O, or in default, two month|, for being found in possession of prepared opium. Yee Yuck was fined £.lO, or in default three months, on the charge of permitting the premises to be used for smoking opium, and also £25, in' default one month, for being in possession of prepared opium. For having been found on the premises without lawful excuse, Ah Ching and Wing Kin' were each fined £ls, or in default one month’s imnrisonment.

Low Wing was fined £l7 10s, or in default six weeks’ imprisonment. Charges against the two Europeans and one Chinese were dismissed.