IMPORTANT GOLD EXPORT CASE.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 2342, 18 September 1880, Page 2

IMPORTANT GOLD EXPORT CASE.

[Bv Telegraph.] Auckland, Sept. 18. The capture of smuggled jewellery in possession of a German named Jacob Seift, and his being fined £IOO for smuggling, did not end the extraordinary business. Some gold dust was found among his effects, which the police seized. The defendant claimed the gold dust, and said it was not smuggled but that he had procured it down South in exchange for goods, and he asked that it be returned to him. The Magistrate decided to consider the matter, and the result was that a fresh information was laid by Mr Hill, under the Gold Duties’ Act, and defendant mulcted in a penalty of £2O and costs, though ably defended by Mr Dnfnnr, who urged that as the gold had not been removed from the colony there could have been no export. The Bench, however, held that the shipment of gold from one port to another was an export. The ability of delinquents to pay the line was next a matter for discussion, but this difficulty was soon solved, for ho denied his ability. The detective discovered amongst his effects at the hotel where he lodged a cartridge case containing about 200 so vs, although defendant had averred that it only contained cartridges. Out of this treasure he paid the line and costs.