"DOPE" SENSATION IN LONDON

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 69, 16 December 1918, Page 5

"DOPE" SENSATION IN LONDON

INQUEST ON WELL-KNOWN BEAUTY; ACTRESS. ' ' . j (Roc. December 15, 11.5 p.m.) . i London, December. 14. ; There were sensational developments atj an inquest on "Billie" Cnrleton, a well-) known beauty leading lady at the Hay-j market Theatre, who was found dead-in a! flat in the Strand after a fancy-dressj ball at the Albert Hall. The evidence! disclosed a remarkable drug-taking habit| in a certain theatrical circle. _ This in-i eluded dopa parties, where opium and; cocaine were dispensed, and also visits' to Limehouse opium dens. "Billie" oh-'; tained cocaine at a cost of JCG for a small; packet worth two shillings. ' ] Mrs. Lo Ping, the English wife of a; Chinaman, has been arrested. She cooked! opium for dope parties. Several _ well-| known actresses were mentioned in the, evidence. Curious details-were given asj to how male servants who were sent to. the Chinese opium dens in tho East End! I to secure the drugs resorted to. ingenious! expedients to preserve secrecy owing, to; the stringent anti-opium Cable Assn. . i (Rec. December 16, 1.30 a.m.) '■."■'' I London, December 14. ! Lo Ping has been charged with having! been in possession of opium, andjvis wifa' has been charged with supplying the; same—Aus.-N.Z. Assn.-Reutcr.