LAX METHODS

Hokitika Guardian, 21 April 1928, Page 1

LAX METHODS

OF CUSTOMS OFFICIALS.

AUCKLAND, April ID.

Sensational allegations were made in the Police Court to-day when Robert Edward Cooper, aged 58, pleaded not guilty to four charges of theft ol two bottles of rum, one bottle of vermouth, and one bottle of whisky; and guilty to four alternative charges of receiving the spirit, knowing it to have been dishonestly obtained.

Accused was a receiving clerk employed by carriers who acted as agents for various importers. It was his duty to receive all spirit for carriage, to attend to weighing, gauging and bond marking and to help in examination of spirit performed by customs officials. Other receiving clerks representing other firms were entrusted with similar work. j In a statement to the police, accused said: ‘‘lt is the usual practice for the customs officer who does the examining of cases to give the receiving clerk a bottle of whisky or other spirits for himself. The examining officer of customs usually takes a bottle for himself as well as the one lie gives the receiving clerk. This practice has been going on as long as 1 can remember, and all receiving clerks on wharves get their bottles of whisky from customs officers while they are assisting to make an examination.” Accused went on to say the four bottles named in the charge were given him by customs examiners, one of whom was Martin King. A certificate was then produced in Court bearing the signature oi Martin King, and certifying that seven of twelve bottles in a certain lot were broken. “That can not he true because here are two of the bottles which are supposed to he broken,” said Detective-Sergeant McHugh. To explain how the certificate came to he signed by Martin King, the customs searcher was called to the witness box: “ How do you account for this?” lie was asked hv Magistrate McKean. “ Before I see it the case is opened,” King replied. “ Bottles are thrown on the floor by receiving clerks and 1 sign certificates to the effect that so many bottles are broken. 'Hie ease is opened for the purpose of testing before I see it. 1 never gave Cooper a bottle.”

The -Magistrate: “Do you regard that certificate only as a matter of form ? ”

It always has been done that way; at least, as far as I know.” “Then it is high time the Customs Department made some drastic alterations to its methods of handling this stuff,” the Magistrate declared.

When giving evidence, Cooper said that the customs officers had been presenting him with a bottle of whisky off and on for three years as long as he had been doing that particular work. Asked how customs officers who gave him whisky accounted for them later. Cooper replied: They just put them down as breaks.

The Magistrate: “Did King give you a bottle?” “Yes, he did; and marked it oil' as a break.”

The theft charges were dismissed, hut on the other counts accused was convicted and remanded until Monday for sentence.