SMUGGLED SILVER

Hokitika Guardian, 13 June 1933, Page 6

SMUGGLED SILVER

CONFISCATION ON STREAM. HEAVY FINES IMPOSED. (Per Press Association — Copyright.) ‘ WELLINGTON, Juno 13. Silver coins to the value of £727, seized when the Wanganella was raided ,'iast Thursday, wag forfeited to the Crown and fines totalling £l5O Wire imposed on four men' charged with attempting to export money from New Zealand. James Freeston, a steward, was chaiged with attempting to export coin valued at £252 11s; the ship’s barber, Henry 'Morgan, with exporting , a quan. tity valued at £229 6s; the fourth of.’ficcr, Douglas Jack Strath, coin valued .at £26 8s 6d ; and James Bayne, a seaman, coin valued at £2O l£«s 6d. Accused pleaded guilty.

Tne Cromn prosecutor, 'Mr Mocassey. asked for the maximum £SO penalties on Trees ton and Morgan, and these wfeo imposed. Strath and Bayne wore each fined £25. On defendants’ behalf it was stated that, as a result of the offences, ia'd h:.id lost the.r employment. A'feature of the proceedings was the production of a large belt, containing £l7O wouh of silver alleged to have, been used by Freeston to carry coin on the ship. Boyne had £25 in silver hidden in a gum boot. Silver produced and valued at £l9B, and remaining unclaimed, was stated to have been round in a cabin occupied by two ladies. Freeston was stated to have been seen leaving this cabin when the ship was raided.

Mr Macassey said that the Treasm'y decked him to point out that the cases were very serious as it meant depleting the silver coinage, and people taking, out the -silver were making a profit of 25 per cent. If the traffic were not stopped, business would be further .handicapped, and great loss and iu- ' convenience would result, the coin being reported to make a 25 per cent, profit out of exchange, and as the surplus exchange was purchased by the Government under the Banks Indemnity Exchange Act, the profit was made at the direct expense of New Zealand taxpayers. It was desired to make an example in all the cases.