A CUSTOMS CASE.

Hokitika Guardian, 14 March 1924, Page 4

A CUSTOMS CASE.

FAILURE TO GIVE INFORMATION IXVERUA R I’ILL. .March 12. I lie iinpoi'latinii of a scminl-haml motor-car. which w;r: purchased in England by .Joseph Meteor, of Bluff, during hi- rririii trip uliruul. i ,i 111■ cI tin- basis of charges preferred against him fcii having given wrung iiinirmation to a Custom'.' oflieer and also with having attempted tn defraud the Customs’ Deparmenfc by wrongly stating luit the price of the ear in question was £195, and on another occasion that it. was £229. Evidence was given by a Uin-loin. i :Hirer to tin? effect that Alelrgri. w hen lie Ill'll approached the drl'riidunt tor the purpose of having the cur cleared, assessed its value at £195 and subsequently at £229. This iuiormal imi. however, did not sati-ty the Customs to secure papers, which, il was -aid by the defendant, were either lost or mislaid. it was ascertained i hat t lie prit paid ior the ear was iu t In- vicinity of £335. Mr Hunt, for the defence, contended that as no entry form lenl '«■( u completed and linudcd to l he Ucgirfmetit. the Customs officer was imi entitled le ask iniv question.-, and furt hor more, that being so. no olleiii" 1 bad been committed. Ilis Worship said he could net accept siie!i a eon tent ion. lie was satisfied that defendant, mii-t he convicted on tailing to give the inform.’i l in'.i required. To avoid o c.'i t’iie the car to lx- forfeited ho would assess, the value ;iii under £225. Whether the entry had been completed or otherwise, defendant had caused certain entries to he put down, and had made statements with intent to mislead the Customs, and that being an. it was a sef-

Defendant would lx: convieted and fined £SO and costs on the charge of refusing to give information when requested to do so. The other charge was withdrawn.