IN AN OPIUM DEN.

Patea Mail, Volume XLIV, 1 December 1920, Page 3

IN AN OPIUM DEN.

GIRL’S STRANGE STORY. Sydney, November 19. Away from the beaten track, down behind Oxford Street, lies a closelypacked locality, holding many streets. There, in a drub looking Cliinesc opium den lived for ten 'lays a young white girl, Gladys Alaxwell. She had been mi sing from her home for tnat time, and was discovered under somewhat startling circumstances. The story the girl, who is not yet sixteen years of age, told the police has convinced them that they have stepped in on something which suggests the 'white slave traffic. Gladys Alaxwell says that she had in en working as a domestic servant., but that her grandmother, to whom she gave her earnings, did not spend enough money on her clothes. “I wanted hotter clothes,” she said, “so f left my granny." She encountered a woman In the street who offered to take care of her, and handed her over to another woman, who looks her to a place which proved to be an opium den. The woman bought her .".pensive clothing and boots. ‘Well dressed Chinese were always coming to the house, and when they were going away (hey would leave two shillings on a tray for the opium they had smoked. The girl having been reported missing from her home, the police instituted inquiries, found the girl and a companion in the street, and were taken by the girl to the place where she was housed. A posse of police were told off to raid the premises. When the girl rang" the bell the door was opened, and the police rushed in.

Among other things the police found an opium smoking outfit, fresh from use, of most elaborate design. Usually those outlits arc very rough and ready, but in this case things were on a much more luxurious scale. The lamp was beautifully shaded, the pipe was of superior worwinainship, and everything was there to aid the smoker's pleasure. Ah Boy, the Chinese, was arrested, and the girl was taken to Ormonde House. Ah Poy was taken before the Court and charged with having smoked opium and opium in his possession. He was remanded to have his finger-prints taken.

The girl has since been transferred to Hillside, adjoining Ormonde House. She says the police can take her anywhere they wish. She will work, and would like to work on a farm.