“IN A STATE OF COMA”

New Zealand Times, Volume XLIX, Issue 11168, 25 March 1922, Page 7

“IN A STATE OF COMA”

ANOTHER OPIUM CASE POLICE RAID rXEARTHS CHINAMAN DRAGGED. AT A “MEETING HOTTSE ” Another case to tho already long list of recent charges in connection with opium transactions and opium smoking was - put through the Court yesterday tie lore Mr F. K. Hunt, S.M., when. Rah Toy, alias Bail Toi, was on a charge of being found in possession of opium in a form suitable for smoking and with smoking opium (two charges). Mr E. R. Brabazon appeared for the Customs Department and Mr P. W. Jackson lor the defendant.

Mr Brabazon said that the notice had visited a Chinese meeting house m Vivian street on March 2Ji'd where the defendant wi.s discovered. He was in a state of coma iiv an upstairs room. When accosted, none of the inmates admitted being Hie owner or in charge of the premises. The full opium smoker’s outfit was found, tho pipe being still warm when the police arrived.

Evidence was called in corroboration and Detective Nuttall deposed that he visited the place ns described and smelt opium strongly. The defendant wa«s in a dazed condition, which was entirely different from that of ordinary sleep. The defendant never really recovered ! until he arrived at the police station. Mr Jackson held that there was no case established. True, there may have been a '‘strong suspicion,” but that in itself was not sufficient to warrant a conviction.

The magSitrato said the police story had been practically uncontradicted. However, he w-ould deal leniently with the minor case, and impose a fine of £lO for smoking opium, and convicted and discharged the defendant on tho other count.