CUSTOM HOUSE ORDINANCE.

New Zealand Spectator and Cook's Strait Guardian, Volume III, Issue 141, 5 December 1846, Page 4

CUSTOM HOUSE ORDINANCE.

An Ordinance to amend the " Customs Ordinance," Sess. 1, No. 3. and the "Custom* Amendment Ordinance," Ses. 3, No. 6.— Passed on the 2nd day of October, 1846. Whereas, by an Ordinance enacted by the Governor of New Zealand, -with the advice and consent of the Legislative Council thereof, Session 1, No. 3, and by an Ordinance enacted in like manner, Session 3, No. 6, provision is made for the collection of certain duties on goods imported into, and for the general regulation of revenue of the Customs in the colony of New Zealand. And whereas it is expedient that further provision be made in that behalf:" be it fuither enacted by the Lieutenant-Governor of New Zealand, with the advice and consent of the Legislative Council thereof, as follows : — 1. It shall be lawful for his Excellency the Governor from time to time, by Proclamation, to appoint and define proper places within the several ports of the colony to be legal quays or j landing places for the lading and unlading of goods, and to define the portions of such quays and landing places upon which particular goods shall be laden or unladen, and from time to time in like manner to alter and vary the places to be used for such quays and landing places, as occasion may require, and also in like manner to appoint the hours within which such goods shall be so laden or unladen, and to alter and vary the same as occasion may require. Provided' always that nothing herein contained shall prevent the lading or unlading of any such goods at any other time with the permission of the principal officer of Customs. 2. All goods liable to the payment of any duty of Customs which shall be laden or unladen in any port contraiy to the provisions of any such proclamation, as aforesaid, shall be forfeited. 3. And whereas by the said first recited Ordinance, provision is made for ascertaining the true value of goods entered at value, and it is expedient to make further provision for the security of the revenue: Be it enacted, that if upon examination of any goods entered to pay duty according to the value thereof, it shall appear to the officers of the Customs that such goods are not valued according to the true value thereof at the place of import, it shall be lawful for such officers to detain and secure such goods, and within 7 days from the day on which the goods shall be finally examined by the proper officers by virtue of a duty paid entry, to take such goods for the use of the crown ; and the collector of her Majesty's Customs shall thereupon cause the amount of such valuation, together with an addition of Ten Poundsper centum thereon, and also the duties paid upon such entry, to be paid to the Importer or Proprietor of such goods in full satisfaction of the same, and shall dispose of such goods by sale for the benefit of the Crown. 4. If the produce of such sale shall exceed the sums so paid, and all charges incurred by the Crown, one-half of the overplus shall be given to the officer or officers who shall have detained and taken such goods; and the ,money retained for the benefit of tjhe Crown shall be paid to the collector of Customs, and shall be carried to account as duties of Customs. 5. Upon an information on oath made before any Justice of the Peace by any officer of Customs, that he believes (on certain reasonable grounds to be set forth therein) that any goods liable to forfeiture under any Ordinance relating to the Customs, are in any particular house, building, or place, it shall be lawfuLfor such Justice to grant a warrant to such officer of Customs to enter anil search such .house, building, or place; an'd j thereupon it shall be lawful for such Officer, taking with him a Constable, to enter such house, building, or place in the day time, and* to search for and seize and secure any goods so liable to forfeiture, and in case of necessity to break open any doors, chests, or packages for that purpose. 6. And be it further enacted, that notwithstanding anything in any Ordinance relating to the Customs contained, all goods, wares, and merchandize imported into the colony as supr plies for her Majesty's colonial Government, and at the public charge, shall be admitted to entry or importation without any duty being charged thereon. 7. For the purpose of this Ordinance the word " Governor" shall be taken to include the "Lieutenant Governor," or the " Officer J Administering the Government" for the time being.