MR BILLS AND THE CUSTOMS.

Globe, Volume XXIV, Issue 2582, 17 July 1882, Page 3

MR BILLS AND THE CUSTOMS.

To the Editor of the Globe. Sib, —As the Police Court report of the recent proceedings of the Custom House Collector against mo for an alleged evasion of the Customs duties is somewhat curtailed, I shall foel obliged if yon will allow me a brief space to detail the particulars, or, in other word?, give the private history of the transaction. First, let me state that I am not a dealer in curios, and my object in going on board the Bowen was to procure some crested minohs, which I had been advised were brought from China by that v(B:el. Having bought the birds in question, I noticed a few ornaments made from soapstone, viz, toy pagodas, and 100 tables (all toys) six in number), exposed for sale. I enquired the price, which being a few shillings, I bought and paid for them, intending them as a present for a godson in Christchurch. I carried them in my hands, fully exposed to view, when I was given into custody for evading Customs duties. Why, sir, I did not even know there was any Customs duties payable on such trash; and if sc, it might have been demanded of me without subjecting me to the indignity of being arrested, and which I purchased for the reason before stated, and from no idea of making any profit. As I had a sale of canaries on at Christchurch on that day, I need not say how my business was interfered with by the detention. Bat the most extraordinary proceeding took place in the Court after the Magistrate had dismissed the charge against me, when the Collector of Customs made a most ungentlomanly rush at me to secure the toys, breaking two of them, on which I paid the duty. I congratulate the Government of New Zealand on such a zealous officer, hoping that be shows equal zeal in looking after large items of dutiable goods as he has shown in this instance, that in other words he does’nt “ gape at gnats and swallow camels." I feel rather aggrieved in the matter, being well known in almost every port in the world, and I trust you will give this a space in your paper, as there are friends of mine elsewhere who might like to see the correct version of the matter. Yours, &0., A RICHARD BILLS.