CUSTOMS BREACH.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1015, 3 January 1911, Page 4

CUSTOMS BREACH.

AND ITS CONSEQUENCES. (By Telegraph—Press Association.) Auckland, January 2. A breach of tho Customs Act, committed by Captain W. E. Oliver, of the steamer Houto, occupied the attention of tho Police Court to-day. Oliver was charged that, having on Ixiard his vessel stores under seal, lie broke the seal and removed certain articles. He pleadei guilty. Mr. Hidings, Collector of . Customs, stated that the breach' was a very serious one. The goods had been placed under ■ seal when tho Houto left Lyttelton for AVhangape, and several days after the steamer" arrived, at AVhangape the local constable, who also represented the Customs, found tho seal broken, and several botties of,whisky missing.. Oliver was liable to a fine of .£IOO, but considering that, the duty on the goods was small Mr. Hidings suggested that tho penalty should be reduced to one-fourth. Captain Oliver states that a Customs representative was present when the seal was broken, and that he helped to drink the whiskv. "In fact," added tho captain, "ho drank so, much whisky that he fell down on the wharf." Mr. Ridings said that was a cliarsto against an officer, and it would bo investigated by the Customs authorities. Tho Bench adopted the' suggestion of llr. Ridings, and inflicted a penalty of ,£25, and costs £i.