Ah Sow

Wong Fay and Ah Sow were charged for being in possession of Opium. The Queensland Times reported on 18 July 1907:

A Heavy Fine. A CHINAMAN CONVICTED , OF BEING IN POSSESSION OF OPIUM. At the instance of Constable Timothy Foley two Chinese, name Wong Fay and Ah Sow, were brought before the Police Magistrate at the Ipswich Police Court, yesterday morning, and charged with having, conjointly and severally, had in their possession a quantity of opium. Senior-Sergeant King conducted the prosecution, and Mr. W. H. Summerville appeared for the defendants, on whose behalf he pleaded 'Guilty." In reality, he said, Ah Sow was the owner of the opium, and not Wong Fay. He would, therefore, with-draw the plea of "Guilty" in so far as that defendant was concerned. The Police Magistrate: How much opium was found? Senior-Sergeant King : One tin, contained 8oz, and which had not been opened. The Police Magistrate: What was it used for-for sale ? Senior-Sergeant King: For smoking. Mr. Summerville: Defendant does not sell it. Senior-Sergeant King stated that the importation of opium had been prohibited by the Federal Government. He consented to the charge against Wong Fay being withdrawn. Mr. Summerville asked that as light a fine as possible should be imposed. The Police Magistrate fined the defendant £10, with 4s 6d costs of Court: and, on the application of Senior-Sergeant King, ordered that half the amount of the fine should be paid into the police reward fund. On the application of the Senior Sergeant, the Police Magistrate directed that the opium secured by the police should be confiscated.