YOUTHS STEAL OPIUM.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LIX, Issue 18041, 16 March 1922, Page 4

YOUTHS STEAL OPIUM.

THEFT AT VICTORIA COLLEGE, ALLEGED SALE TO CHINESE. BOTH COMMITTED FOR SENTENCE. [B2 TELEOEAPH.— PRE3S ASSOCIATIOH.] WELLINGTON. WHaeaday. The theft of a quantity of opium from Victoria College and its sale to Chinese was admitted in the Police Court to-day when a youth, Charles Aloysius Wilkinson, a laboratory assistant at the university, was charged with the theft of opium, valued at £50, the property of the Government, and another, Harold. Fairchild Pobar, was charged with re* ceivinj' the stolen opium.

According to the prosecution, the Cug, toms Department in 1915 forwarded a quantity of opium to the university for the aikaloidg to bo extracted for use in military hospitals and hospital ships. Wilkinson had access to the opium, the residue of which had been left in a barrel locked in a storeroom.

Wil.iinson admitted taking several tins of opium, stating that ho heard students say a lot of money was going to waste. The onium was given to Pobar, who fold it to Chinese, the proceeds being divided. The police visued the premises of the Chinesie who wa 3 alleged to be the purchaser, but found ndhing, VViLiinson pleaded guilty. Re said he was 17 years of age.' I'obar gave him £30 as a half share of the sales. The actual value of the op.um was about £4. Pobar also pleaded guilty. Both were committed to the Supremo Court for sentence.