SHOP SEARCHED

Taranaki Daily News, 24 August 1931, Page 11

SHOP SEARCHED

POLICE DISCOVER OPIUM.

CHINESE FRUITERER FINED.

“I am not satisfied that this is a case in which the man has been using it solely for bis own use. It seems to me that he has been trading in it,” said Mr. J. Miller, S.M., in the Police Court at Masterton last week, when Wong Lo Sui, fruiterer, was charged with having in his possession a quantity of prepared opium. He was fined £35. \ Sergeant T. H. Dyer said that he and a constable visited Wo.ng’s. shop at about 11.45 p.m. on Saturday, August 2, and found him in the kitchen.. Questioned, accused denied that he had opium in his possession. On a search being made a tin half-full of opium was found on his bed, also a pipe which had the appearance of having been recently smoked. On a further search two tins of opium seconds and a set of scales were found. Accused then admitted that he smoked opium, but denied that he traded in it. He said that friends came to his place and had a smoke but he made no charge. Mr. C. C. Mareack, for Wong, said that his client suffered from a chest complaint, and smoked a little to relieve it. It was not as if he had a great deal The Magistrate: I don’t think it is a small quantity. Counsel: Anyway, it is not the stock-in-trade of a Chinese opium merchant. The Magistrate: The scales ..have to be explained. Counsel: He might have used it to measure out his own doses. The mere fact that scales were found does not prove that he has been selling it. It is not suggested by the police that this is the centre of an opium ring. Counsel . added, that it topk a Chinese a little while to learn what AW. £ common practice in China was looked, on' po jsternly in New Zealand. Wong had;now learnt, his . lessen. ,<■ ~ ...p neoti ■■■■■■ ■••■;• !<■:'' “A tic?