COUNSEL PROTESTS

Hokitika Guardian, 27 July 1933, Page 6

COUNSEL PROTESTS

FINKS FOR OPIUM SMOKING

MEASURE OF- SVM PATH Y URGED

(Per Press Association— Copyright.) i

WELLINGTON; July 2(5

J Submitting that it seemed practical | that poceeding's for opium smoking l-should- bo recurring over and over again alien the police had power to close premises which they-knew were .opium dens, counsel for. nine;Chinese,, who were charged at the- police court this afternoon, suggested that some measure of sympathy should be extended, as these men had this habit ingrained in them. So long as the facilities existed for • the smoking ol opium, the temptation would always be present,* and it seemed unfair that the Chinese should be fined from time to time, thus increasing the Consolidated Fund. The case was the outcome of a raid that was carried out about 2- o-clock-this morning on the premises of 142 Tory Street. Willie Wong was charged with allowing the premises to be used for the purpose of smoking opium and with wilfully obstructing Senior Sergeant Scott in the lawful execution of his duty.

Eight other men, Ng Kum, Tong Jew, Lmn Ching, Yum Hong. Ah Sue. lvee STiuin Chu Wong and Ah Wong, were charged with being unlawfully on the premises. Willie Wong, through his counsel. Mr ,T. Melzer, pleaded guilty to the first charge, .for which ho was fined £oo and pleaded not guilty to the other count, for which he was fined £5. Default of three months’ imprisonment was fixed.