MADE TOBACCO WITHOUT A LICENCE

Chronicle (Levin), 4 October 1947, Page 2

MADE TOBACCO WITHOUT A LICENCE

NELSON, Oct. 3. For carrying on- the business of t-Obaevo manufucturing at Upper Moutere, without a licence, Albert Artlinr Lusty was tlned £100 by Mr. Maunsell, B.M., in -the Magrstrate 's Court. Charges of selllng lUSlbs. to a man in the Gisborne district and lOOlbs. to a nian on tlie West Ooast with intcnt to defraud the Customs Hepartment of duties, wero laler withdrawn. Tlie ihformation was laid by the Coltroller of Customs. Defendant pleaded guiltv. Counsei for tlie prosecution said that this type of offence was difficult to provo and was liighJv iniportant. from the revcnuc point of view. The duty on tobaeco woiild be 11s 8d T>er pound. Counsei said that a man in Christchurch was found with 50llis. of uncustomed tobaeco whieh was traeed to a man- ou the West Coast and tlien to defendant. Customs officers and policc searched I.usty's iiremises, finiling various preparations used in the inanufaeture of tobaeco. Among corrospondence found was a refcrence to saies in the Gisborne district. When the man at Gisborne was intervicwed it was found he had reeeived a telcgram reading: "Dispose of all fruit, expect visitors." The Magistrato: Uninvited guests I supposc. For defendant it was stated he made tobaeco for liimself in 1.045 but on request allowed two applicants to have some. The price he reeeived ivas not mucli above what it cost liim to make it.