THE FISH SCANDAL.

Gisborne Times, Volume XVIII, Issue 1450, 10 May 1905, Page 2

THE FISH SCANDAL.

ALLEGED DEFRAUDING THE CUSTOMS.

By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright Received 1.7 a.m., May 10.

Melbourne, May 9. Mr Justice O’Connor in tho High Court commenced the hearing of oases wherein certain fish importers were charged with defrauding the Customs in connection with the importation of New Zealand blue cod. There are four defendants. Altogether 29 shipments are involved, but only four cases were taken. The defence generally ]was a denial of the allegations of misrepresentation and fraud.

i Mr Duffy, opening tho case for the Crown, said there had been groat laxity by ;the Customs officials at some wharves. 'Ho instanced that importer Allen was 'allowed to take away oases of fish and his own weights, which, instead of jbeing 62 to 681bs, according to figures sup 'lied from New Zealand, he never made the : weight above 44ibs. In other instances he picked out a small case and averaged 'others by it. The examination of documents compared with New Zealand exporters’ invoices showed great differences. In one case Allen made an entry in respect to 68641bs fish, representing the duty as under £29, whereas as a matter of fact the quantity was 13, J s3Blbs; and tho duty £56. Allen’s books'had all been destroyed, but bis principal, Lucas, in New Zealand had aooount'eales there showingthat Allen was passing fish through .the 'Customs at low weights, paying the duty on such low weights, but charging Lucas the full weight duty. j,.