ANOTHER CUSTOMS RAID.

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 593, 23 August 1909, Page 9

ANOTHER CUSTOMS RAID.

■ ■ — : a STEAMER TONGABIHO AGAIN SEARCHED. : A dishevelled trio of Customs officiate marched triumphantly to the Customs office on Saturday morning, after having made a search of the New Zealand Shipping Co.'s steamer .Tongariro in quest of dutiable goods, ffhich had not beon declared for by the members of the vessel's crow when they reached Wellington from .London a couplo of weeks ago. When an express load of ."contraband" goods was discharged at the Customs house it became known that a successful raid had beon 'made,, and ft was subsequently found that the valuo of the goods seized was about £120. A search, of the Tongariro was made when sliO'first reached Wellington from Home, and several prosecutions followed agaiiist members of the crew for harbouring "undeclared" dutiable' goods, but the officers of the Department were not satisfied that they had dono all that was to be done ; and, consequently, when the vessel arrived back in port yesterday, after having discharged her cargo in the south and loaded at va-rious coastal ports, another search was instituted. The result was that, a quantity of dutiable goods,- which had not been, declared as provided by the regulations, were seized from two-members ofthe ship's, crew. The goods were found concealed in the storeroom, and comprised 10 dress pieces valued at £12,11 overcoats valued at £22, and 65 ostrich feathers valued at £36 18s., ,in 'the possession of one man; and 37 boxes of cigars, valued at £37, 161b. of tobacco valued at 6s. to Bs. per lb. without duty, and a number !>f packets of cigarettes and cards, in. the possession of the second man. .-. ~. It "• is, understood that Court proceedings will follow. ___J_