CELESTIAL ASTUTENESS.

Lake County Press, Issue 2254, 7 January 1909, Page 4

CELESTIAL ASTUTENESS.

The coolie type of Chinese engaged on vessels visiting Sydney Harbour have hit on a novel method for smuggling opium. Having exploited the old style of taking the drug ashore by means'of a false-bottomed bird-cage, with which they successfully evaded the vigilance of the Customs officers for a long time, they hit upon a new plan. Customs-officer Anderson, being of the opinion that opium was being brought ashore, decided one night recently to keep a sharp look-out. At first his labor was in vain, but after accosting several suspicious-looking individuals he achieved success. A Chinese came hurriedly clown the gangway of a steamer moored in circular Quay, ami, glancing around, made for the street. It was not long before the officer bailed him up, and although the Chinese protested, with wiid gesticulation?, Anderson insisted on delayirg h ; s progress. The officer felt tbe clothing of his captive from head to feet, bat found nothing out of the ordinary regarding his attire. Despite much heated argument on the part of tho Chinese, he took him to an adjoining room. Here the man . was divested of his clothing, and the officer's eves immediately rested on a novellooking belt. Closer examination showed that it was a string of sausage skins in which a fair quantity of opium, in the form of paste, was secreted. The following evening another Chinese was apprehended, with liquid opium concealed in tho same manner.