£100 FINE

Northern Advocate, 5 November 1935, Page 4

£IOO FINE

CHINESE OPIUIVI CASE

OTHERS PENALISED £3O AND £2O

NINE MEN CHARGED,

[Special to “Northern Advocate.”] AUCKLAND, This Day.

Holding that accused had failed to produce a satisfactory excuse for congregating in an opium den to discuss business, rather than at the Qwong Chew Club, where the negotiations had commenced, Mr Wyvern Wilson, S.M., today convicted nine Chinese on charges arising out of opium smoking. Ah Lee, a gardener, aged 32, was charged that, being the owner of the premises he permitted them to be used for opium smoking, while Shan Fun, another gardener, aged 48, was charged with being in possession of prepared opium. Seven other Chinese, Wong Sun (36), Wong Wah (40), Shang Wang (31), Ah Wong (50), Ah Hing (37), Ah Shum (36), and Kwok Hing (41) were each charged with being found without lawful excuse on premises, which were being used for opium smoking.

The men denied that they were smoking opium or knew it was being smoked. They all said they were there for the meeting over the partnership.

The occupier of the premises, Ah Lee, was fined £IOO, in default three months’ imprisonment. Of the others, Wong Sun, Ah Shum, and Kwok Hing, who had previously been convicted for like offences, were each fined £3° and costs, and the others £2O each and costs.