SATURDAY NIGHT RAID

Dominion, Volume 28, Issue 94, 15 January 1935, Page 14

SATURDAY NIGHT RAID

Opium Charges Against Chinese FINES TOTAL £152/10/Fines totalling £152/10/- were imposed on five Chinese who appeared in the Magistrate’s Court, Wellington, yesterday, to answer charges dealing with opium, following a raid by police on premises in Frederick Street late on Saturday night. Lillian Dunn, aged 34, married, was charged with being found without lawful excuse on premises used for the smoking of opium and with being concerned in the management of the premises; Yee Yuck, aged 48, laundryman, with permitting premises to be used for the purpose of smoking opium and with being found in possession of prepared opium; Ah Ching, aged 41, gardener, Wong Kin, 42, laundryman, Low Wing, 58, fruiterer, Wong Chong, 51, gardener, and Gerald Robert Groom, 21, labourer, with being found without lawful excuse on premises used for the purpose of smoking opium. On behalf of all defendants Mr. A. B. Sievwright entered a plea of not guilty. On behalf of "Wah Lai, aged 35, laundryman, he pleaded guilty to a charge of being found in possession of prepared opium, and two other charges against Lai were withdrawn by the police. Mr. W. F. Stilwell, S.M., was on the bench, and Senior Sergeant D. J. O’Neill conducted the prosecution. Bona Fides of Defence. In giving his decision the Magistrate said it had been established that defendant Dunn had been living to all intents and purposes as Yuck’s wife, and that being the case the first charge against her failed. In regard to the second, there were factors which gave him doubts as to the bona fides of the defence, but on the other hand there were other factors he must take into account. It had to be realised' that she was placed in a very dangerous position by virtue of her association with Yuck, and he was not satisfied she was concerned in the management of premises, he said, in dismissing the charge. Groom was there at her invitation and was thus lawfully on the premises. “I don’t believe a word he says,” said the Magistrate, referring to the first charge against Yuck. He was satisfied that Yuck knew what was going on and the proposition that it was Lai’s tenancy would not hold water. On the second charge he was not satisfied that Yuck’s explanation of the possession of the opium was a bona fide one. Yuck was fined £5O, in default three months’ imprisonment, on the first charge, and £25 in default two months, on the second charge. All the others were convicted, with the exception of Chong. Ching and Kin were fined £l5, in default one month; Wing £l7/10/-, in default six weeks; and Lai £3O, in default two months. No Barricades. In evidence Constable Frank Thompson said that the premises in Frederick Street had been kept under observation since November 2, and between that date and January 12, 132 Chinese had been seen to enter the premises, and 97 to leave. There had been quite a number of white women seen in the place. Cross-examined by Mr. Sievwright witness said there had been no barricades to prevent the police entering. Four Chinese were upstairs, and four people were found downstairs. Sergeant Black said that two pipe bowls for smoking opium were found on the floor, also a small quantity of opium and a tin containing what was known as “seconds.” The bowls of the pipe were hot and also a lamp which was found. Cross-examined by Mr. Sievwright witness said he knew that the female defendant had been living with Yuck for about five years. Sergeant O’Donnell said there was a strong smell of opium about the place. Evidence was also given by Constable Cummings and Sergeant Edwards. Case for the Defence. Outlining the case for the defence, Mr. Sievwright said Yuck had previously been a fruiterer in Nelson. He came to Wellington about five years ago and had been living in the house since July last year. Lai had been occupying the upstairs portion of the house as a separate flat. The other three Chinese found upstairs were Lai’s visitors. Groom had been in the house for two or three days only, until this week, when he and Mrs. Dunn proposed to leave for Australia on a holiday. Chong was a visitor to Yuck. The suggestion was, said counsel, that this was an opium den, but he submitted that there should be produced a great deal more paraphernalia. Only one stem of a pipe and two pipe bowls had • been produced. Wah Lai, in evidence, said he was smoking opium, and was the only one smoking. To Senior-Sergeant O’Neill he said he slept upstairs about twice a week. He had never seen Mrs. Dunn smoking opium. Evidence was also given by Yuck, Chong, Ching, Kin and Wing and Lillian Dunn. The Magistrate allowed defendants a fortnight in which to pay the fines, and allowed 35/- interpreter’s expenses.