REEKING WITH OPIUM.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 16641, 25 January 1922, Page 8

REEKING WITH OPIUM.

RAID IN MADRAS STREET* SURPRISE FOR SANITARY INSPECTORS, As the result of the visit of two Sanitary Inspectors to 162, Madras Street, on Saturday, January 7. Wong Chong, a tall and taciturn Celestial, was charged at the Magistrate’s Court to-day, with being found in *tho possession of opium, suitable for biiioicing. Jim Fong Moy, smiling and affable, was charged with abetting jn the smoking or opium. Mr H. K. M’Dougall appeared for the defendants and Mr W. J. Wratt, Collector of Customs, conducted the prosecution.

Reginald John M’Gee, a City Council Sanitary Inspector, stated that he and another inspector visited the house for the purpose of looking at the premises. As they went in at the gate they me Is Fong Moy, who said he was a cook, but off duty through sickness. Thcv went down the path a little distance, Fong Moy following close behind. Suddenly they heard a noise Inside. Witness saw nothing, but Peek, the other inspector, saw a little white jar thrown out of the front window. As thisy was considered suspicious, they entered by the back door, and went up to the front room where they found Wong Chong, the tall Chinaman, who pretended to take no notice bf them. In consequence of this they jleft the premises and went up to get the police. Later they returned with Sergeant Brion, and after a seaich they found opium pipes (produced) in a kerosene tin in the kitchen. Mr M’Dougall: Your original mission was only to make a sanitary inspection P—Yes. Fong Moy (from the rear of the Court) : Hi ! You only saw me in the street, wliatP—Yes. On receiving this reply a smile of satisfaction appeared on Fong’s face. The Magistrate : Fong Moy, youjeeep quiet.” “Thank you,” said Fong. Norman Peek, Sanitary Inspector, said that he went down the path, followed by Mov, when the back door suddenly closed. He walked back, and as he did so, he saw a hand come out of the front window and throw a little white pot to the ground. An attempt had been made to get it under a bush, but the shot fell short. In the room from where the pot was thrown stood Wong Chang who was looking in a mirror and pretending to adjust his collar. He could identify Wong because of his height. The room was badly ventilated, and was reeking with the fumes of opium. When they returned later with Sergeant Brierix the house was locked up, and they had to climb in through a. window. Cross-examined, the witness said he could swear that the pot (produced) was the one thrown out of the window. Sergeant R. C. Brien said that the room was full of opium smoke, and the black substance in the pot was opium. Fong Moy said that he knew nothing about the opium, and that the pipes belonged to another Chinaman named Ah Shem. Wong Chang, who was unable to speak English, had his evidence taken through an interpreter. He denied smoking, and said he knew nothing whatever about the white pot or tho pipes. Fong Moy said in reference to the pipes, “Oh, they belong to Wellington feller. Ah Shem. He came down to spend New Year with me. and he smoked opium. He was called away, leaving his pipes behind him.” He had warned Ah Shem that if they were not taken away within a week they 'would go into the fire. The opium was not pure opiumsecond stuff boiled.” “ When I smoked,” said Fong, “ 1 would never have looked at it.” When questioned Moy said he had not smoked for twenty years. “I used to smoke when I was oook at the police station.’’ he said. Mr M’Dougall: “Safe place, too.” Fong Moy continued that he had gone out on Saturday morning for a “ breath of air ” while his floor was drying, as he had just finished his scrubbing for the ■week. The magistrate said that the evidence as regards smoking was based only on suspicion, but he thought that Wong Chang was in possession of opium, and he would be convicted and fined £5. The charge against Fong Moy was dismissed.