CRAVING FOR OPIUM.

Manawatu Herald, Volume LIV, Issue 4401, 6 October 1934, Page 3

CRAVING FOR OPIUM.

CHINESE ESCAPES FROM JAIL

Napier, October 5

The possibility that accused’s craving for opium may have been one of the principal reasons for his escape from Napier jail was taken into consideration by Mr R. M. Watson, S.M., in fixing a penalty for Yee'Kee Hing, a 30-year-old Chinese avlio Avas brought before the Napier Magistrate’s Court this morning and charged Avith escaping from la.Avful custody, thereby being deemed an incorrigible rogue. Accused Avas sentenced to two months’ imprisonment, to folloav the expiry of the term Avhicli he had commenced to serve at the time of his escape. Hing, avlio Avas arrested at Palmerston North after nearly five Aveeks’ freedom, Avas brought to Napier last evening. He pleaded guilty to the charge Avhen lie appeared before the magistrate this morning. Accused had been before the court on August 22 last on tAvo charges connected with opiumsmoking, said Senior-Sergeant W. Pender, Avho appeared for the police. He had been fined £25 9/on each charge, default being fixed at tAA r o months’ imprisonment. Hing could not find the money and went to Napier jail, where he Avas put to work in the garden. On August 31, during the temporary absence of the jailer, he had escaped from the garden.