CHINAMAN HAD PREPARED OPIUM ON HIS PREMISES.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18940, 10 December 1929, Page 10

CHINAMAN HAD PREPARED OPIUM ON HIS PREMISES.

SUBSTANTIAL FINE IMPOSED BY S.M,

Min Ton, a young Chinaman, in business at 522, Colombo Street, appeared in the Magistrate’s Court this morning to answer a charge of being in possession of prepared opium. Mr E. C. Levvey, S.M., was on the Bench. Mr Champion appeared for the accused, and the Acting-Collector of Customs, Mr Transom, prosecuted for the Department.

Mr Transom said that on December 3 a raid was carried out on accused’s premises and a quantity of opium and other goods to be used in connection with the opium were found. The first article was a lamp used in preparing the drug. In the bedroom a pair of opium scales was found, while eight small jars used for packing opium were discovered in the back yard. At the back of the washhouse there were two dippers and two pots full of opium. At the time accused denied all knowledge of the goods. Some of the exhibits in the Court ■were handed up to the Magistrate. “ Oh, just the usual thing,” he said. Mr Champion said that accused had only been in the shop in Colombo Street for a very short time and he ‘maintained that the opium had been left there by the previous occupier. “ There is no suggestion,” said counsel, “ that accused has been importing the stuff or even smoking it. Accused denies that he smokes. No pipes were found on the premises. Accused seems to be merely the victim of circumstances. He is in business in a small way only. His takings are only about £4 per week, and of this he pays £1 a week in rent and sends 25s to his mother in China. He seems to be one of the better type of Chinese. Counsel, proceeding, said that accused’s brother was a particularly fine type of man. He asked that accused should be treated leniently. He was in bad health and suffered liom tuberculosis. If the fine were made too heavy, he would have to go to prison. Otherwise his brother would pay the fine. #

The Magistrate: Is there much trade in opium in Christchurch. The Collector: It is not as bad here as it is in Wellington.

Accused was fined £3O and costs, in default two months’ imprisonment. Counsel asked for time in which to pay the fine.

The Magistrate: This is not an offence that can be palliated from any angle.