THE HEATHEN CHINESE.

NZ Truth, Issue 182, 12 December 1908, Page 6

THE HEATHEN CHINESE.

Ah Kee aiid His Opium/ Bret Hart speaks of the ways thad, are dark and the tricks that are vain on. the heathen Chinee,,, and at the time he must have had a. Yellow person m his mijnd such as -appeared m Christchurch Magistrate's Court t'other day. -Ah Kee was charged with having opium suita' le foi l smoking m his possession* .f£ ..entered

the dock m a state of' collapse. "What's the matter with him ?" asked the Bench. "Oh, he's only putting it on," said Sergeant Johnston, as the Chinkie sank into a seat with a woe-begone expression m his face. It' appears that he was all right at the police station, and while awaiting his turn m the court ante-room, but suddenly developed an attack of "no savee" when his case was called. It appeu's that Bobby McClinchy was responsihle for' the arrest, and found three tins of opium and ,' seven pipe bowls m the possession of Ah Kee when arrested. The alien appeared to be. all right when charged with the offence before Magistrate -Bishop next day, but on this occasicn had the services of an interpreter. Advocate Alpers appeared/ on his .behalf and represented that the Mongol was 65 years bf age and was an old opium smoker. He had been out m Godsownkuntry 42 years, and at his age it was impossible for him to cease from indulging m the habit. Counsel ■ understood that they had a prohibitory law m China which was relaxed m cas?s of men over 60 years of age. Magistrate Bishop / . ' SUGGESTED THAT HE SHOULD LEAVE THE COUNTRY if he couldn't indulge his craving ..without breaking the law. He had been fracturing the law for a great many years. Counsel acknowlt ds.ed that, it looled lil>e that. Mr Alpers remarked that Ah Kee was almost as bad an of- ' fender wilh opium as counsel was with , tobacco. His Worship said that, i.ersonally, he didn't take either opium or tobacco. Counsel said the' old buster was only drawing £1 a week m w,at_.es. and couldn't meet ahe a.y fine. Magistrate Bishop was firm, however, and imposed ! a fine of £20. When. Ah Kee became i cons-ious of this he spoke Chow with 1 great excitement m the box. "He says it is better for the Government to have him th n to pay £20," -explained the interpreter. Magistrate ; Biihop said that any alternative rested with the Commissioner. Stringer, K.C., who prosecuted, said he believed that if representations were made to the Commissioner, it might lead to a 'mitieration of the penilty. Mr Alters applied for a week's grace m which " to write to the Commissioner, and this was granted,