OPIUM SMOKERS

Northern Advocate, 13 August 1935, Page 5

OPIUM SMOKERS

CAUGHT BY POLICE. SURPRISE RAID. . CHINESE FINED. [Special to “Northern-Advocate.”] PALMERSTON N., This Day. • Nine Chinese . were charged .in the Magistrate’s Court yesterday with being found, on premises where opium was smoked. Pipes, opium in packets and other articles formed exhibits in support of the case for the police. Ah Joe was charged with being‘the occupier of premises , in Main Street where he permitted opium, smoking. There were six other. Chinese of Palmerston North and two from adjacent districts, who were, charged 4 with being found on the premises. All appeared, and counsel said that two of them pleaded guilty to smoking opium, and.the others did not. In evidence, Detective E. Barling said he . visited the building on Saturday evening and discovered a dozen Chinese upstairs. Nine were in a smoke-filled room. The usual disorder occurred, and the police found that nearly all were under the influence of the drug, the lamps being still alight and three pipes being hot. Seven ounces of opium were seized. Counsel for the defence submitted that, apart from the two who pleaded guilty, the others were there prior to a religious ceremony to be held on the following day. Joss sticks were Ito be burnt, but opium smoking was denied. Ah Nom substantiated this this plea. In evidence Joe King admitted smoking two pipes, sometimes three. The magistrate said he would treat the case the same as under the Licensing Act, saying that there was no excuse for being found on the premises. This prompted counsel to enter a plea of guilty for all nine. A fine of £25 and costs was imposed on Ah Joe, and the others were each fined 10/ and costs.