AUCKLAND OPIUM DENS.

CHINESE FINED FOR POSSESSION. Three Chinese were charged at today's Police Court, before Mr If. W. Brabant, HM-, with being in possession of opium. Wong Gong was charged with having three tins and a pot, Ah Pang seven" tins, and Way Royal, alias Ah Louie, seven tins of the drug. Mr Cotter, on behalf of the accused, pleaded guilty, and asked His Worship to impose a light penalty, as it was the first prosecution which had taken place in Auckland. The Act making it illegal to possess opium only came into force on December iUst, and when the Chinese came to know that their beloved drug was absolutely prohibited they would cease to offend. The accused all bore excellent characters. Chief Detective Grace, who prosecuted on behalf of the police, said that Wong Gong was a merchant, and the others kept a gambling den and smoking-room. The police had seized several opium pipes, and a fairly large quantity of opium. Mr Cotter suggested that the premises of Pang and Royal was a lodging house, but Mr Grace said the place was fitted up as an opium den. At Gono'.s house they seized pipes and found a room arranged for smoking. His Worship remarked that the fine should be more than nominal taking into consideration the fact that the places seemed to have been used as opium smoking dens. He imposed a penalty of £5 each and costs, and pointed out that the maximum penalty was £50. Several opium pipes and a quantity of the drug were produced in the Court by the police, and have been confiscated. Auckland Star, Volume XXXIV, Issue 69, 21 March 1903, Page 5