The Opium Cases.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XL, Issue 7587, 30 June 1903, Page 8

The Opium Cases.

The S.M. Court was crowded this afternoon when the opium charges against Yee Kcm Lee and Wong Tong were investigated before the S.M., Mr Greenfield.

Mr Loughnan appeared on behalf of U\o accused and took a preliminary objection to the new informations laid, details of which are published in another column. He stated that yesterday they were quite prepared to go on with the case, .but fresh matter was opened entirely by the new charges. He thought that under the circumstances a remand should be granted.

Mr Fitzherbcrt, prosecuting counsel, said the. informations could not be laid before, but still if his friend's, case was likely ,to be, prejudiced the adjournment would no doubt have to be granted. Yesterday,- however, he said he was. prepared to go on and the informations now laid contained no new matter, he contended, except that they were laid at the instance of the Commissioner 01 Customs. The adjournment aoplied for was granted until this day week. Mr Louglruan referred to the charge of importing opium laid ,a■gainst Yee Kcm Lee, stating it was beyond the Court's jurisdic-. tion. Mr Fitzherbert stated there was no doubt tho information in its present form was beyond tho jurisdiction of the Court, but at 'present he did not intend to withdraw it. The accused, Yee Kern Lee and Wong Tong, were then formally charged on the several counts and the cases adjourned as stated.