SMUGGLING OPIUM.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 13693, 8 September 1906, Page 10

SMUGGLING OPIUM.

(Pkr United Press Assocurtox.) AUCKLAND. September 7. Two Chinese. members of Hie crew nf flie Apariina. wore • defondaNs in ••an opiumsmuggling caso in the Volire Court this morning. They were All Wing (alius Wing Tone),' a seaman, ami Long Tong (alias Wong WVnk), a carpenter. Tho chargc was that they brought into the colony three tins of opium in a form suitable for smoking, tluis hicuiriug liability to a penalty of £100 each. George Rowe, a Customs oflieer. said ho saw the two accused leaving tlio wharf, and called out: " Hullo. >Tohn: what bave you got under your coat?'' One of them replied, "Oh, me got nothing!" Witness went up to them ami drew a tin box of opium out from each of threo ■pockets of the man Wing. The other man (Lone) snit!: "Excuse me: him my friend, lie carry that for me." Witness thereupon gave both into custody. Loiiff pleaded "Not guittv," and explained through an interpreter that lie iliil not mean to say that Wing was carrying opium for him, but was endeavouring to interpret fir bis friend, who asked him to say, "K\c«so this time." His Worship accepted Tone's explanation and discharged him. Wing pleaded " Guilty," and was fined the minimum fine of £25. with an order for imprisonment till the money was paid, with s maximum of 6ix months' imprisonment. Jlr Mays (for the. Crown Solicitor! observed that tho Union Steam Ship Company would probably come to the rescue, as it would otherwise bo responsible for the man under tne Chinese Immigration Act. ..