PURCHASE OF GOLD

Evening Post, Volume CXIV, Issue 121, 18 November 1932, Page 12

PURCHASE OF GOLD

THE LICENCE-QUESTION

SUPREME COURT -DECISION

(By TelegL-aph.^-Press Association)

WANGAKUI, 17th November.

'A'reserved judgment of Mr. Justice Kecd, delivered in tho Supreme Court this afternoon, upheld the appeal of John Walsh, detective,' against the decision of Mr. J. H. Salmon, S.M., in respect to information laid by tho police against a man who was dealing in second-han.d gold.

Tho contention of the appellant was that if the decision of the Magistrate was correct and people were allowed to purchase gold without a licence unto the Second-hand Dealers , Act, thieves would.be afforded facilities to get rid of-iii-gotten gains. :. His Honour's judgment points out that the Act of 1908 is a consolidation of the Act of 1902. In arriving at his decision to.uphold the appeal heihas reviewed two • important sections defining seco-nd-oarid dealers, .and he points out; that, to be excluded from the operations; of the Act, the onus isoa the: person to show that he does not; carry on ■ business or tho, purchasing of second-hand articles except 'f or the^ purpose ?of manufacturing articles therefrom.-; . .- ■■■'

In .this case, said his' Hdnoirr, .there ■was prima facie evidence .that the ac^ cused -was; a second-hand dealer "without, a licence and had not furnished proof that he-was manufacturing articles from the gold he was so purehas1 ing." ' ..'■'- •. ■•■ .-•' ■■•■ '-'■' ..: