THE CHINAMAN'S VICE.

Manawatu Times, Volume LXIV, Issue 279, 3 December 1907, Page 5

THE CHINAMAN'S VICE.

OPIUM SMOKERS FINED

In the Magistrate's Court yesterday, before Mr A. D. Thomson, S.M. four Chinese, named Ah, Ting, Ah Joe, George Post, and Charlie Shuney were charged, the first two with smoking opium, and the latter two with aiding and abetting same, on the 19th November last at the premises of one Ah Kow, in Princes street. Defendants ploaded not guilty and were defended by Mr Moore. Mr Loughnan, Crown Prosecutor, conducted the prosecution. Detective Quirk and Constable McLood gave evidence showing that on the night mentioned, they, along with Constable Waide, made a raid on Ah Kow's premises. In a small shed at the rear, about 9ft by 6ft,. they found seven Chinese. There was no window in the room and no light. They found three opium pipes and lamps. The pipes were hot, and the room was full of fumes. Ah Ting, when the police entered, threw something out of his hand. He had in his possession a watoh case, which contained opium. Cross-examined: None of accused were actually smoking. Ah Ting was in a state of stnpefaction. Mr Moore, for the defence, said that Charley Shuney had only gone to Ah Kow's, and had not been smoking. . The Magistrate dismissed the charge against Shuney. George Post, who said lie was a cook, deposed that he went to Ah Kow's on the night in question, in order to see Ah Ting, who was going to Wellington the next day. He was only there 10 minutes or a quarter of an hour. Saw no smoking while he was there. In cross-examination witness admitted having been twine convicted of smoking opium, some years ago. To the Magistrate: I wanted Ah Ting to get welly good stuff; good for nerve.

Ah Ting was sworn in Chinese fashion, and gave a denial to the charge of smoking opium. The smoking paraphenalia was there all the time. Had been previously convicted for opium smoking. Ah Joe's testimony was to the effect that he used the box produced as a medicine case. He took a bottle containing a dark concoction from his pocket, and took a dram therefrom with gusto.

The Magistrate dismissed the information against Post, as he was not satisfied that accused had intentionally aided and abetted the opium smoking. , A , All Ting was fined £6, and Ah Joe £4, fines to cover costs, including interpreter's fees.