OPIUM SMOKING

Hokitika Guardian, 30 June 1933, Page 5

OPIUM SMOKING

RAID BY POLICE

“FORTRESS” IN HAINING STREET

(Per Press Association Copyright.)

WELLINGTON, June 30

Breaking into a heavily barricaded house in Haiiuno- Street late hist night, the police arrested four Chinese, on cnarges associated with opium smelting. Tne raiders made their call at the house, No. 4, Raining Stnj-et, at about 11.30 p.m. and spent fifteen minutes in endeavouring to break through its fortress-like defences.

The entrance to the house is at the rear and there the police found a •specially constructed door, reinforced by steel mesh, so that they could not gani an entrance to the building without the use of a timber jack against the door which was heavily barred.

Once inside they found that another door awaited their 'attentions before they could reach the staircase. This door was .strengthened by coverings of iron, apparently sides of benzine tins. Having battered this door open, SenioT-Sergeant Seott and his men found that the staircase presented further difficulties.

Stout wooden barriers had been driven into the walls of the staircase parallel to . the stairs so that it was .impossible to climb the stairs upright. These and other barriers were broken down. 'When in the upper rooms, beds and a quantity of paraphenalia connected with the rsmokill.»■ of opium were found, and a number of Chinese, including the occupier of the house, were arrested.

This house was raided three months ago and convictions were obtained.