DEFRAUDING THE CUSTOMS IN MELBOURNE.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 2439, 12 January 1881, Page 4

DEFRAUDING THE CUSTOMS IN MELBOURNE.

The “ Argus ” of Dec. 22 snys : —ln the Legislative Assembly yesterday, Mr A. T. Clark disclosed the name of the agricultural machinery firm which is alleged to have systematically defrauded the Customs department for years past. It is that of Messrs W. Shuttehvorth and Co., the local representatives of the well-known English firm of Clayton, Shuttle worth and Co. Late on Monday afternoon Mr Clark reduced the amount of the line which he had imposed from £lo(JO to £1(M), and this was at once paid. The firm are accused of having for four years systematically' undervalued the machinery imported by them, and tohave omitted from their invoices a number of dutiable goods which they' received,such as wheels, reversing gear, and other portions of engines. The loss to the revenue must have been very considerable. The amount of the fine was determined upon the value of the machinery in the bonded store belonging to the firm, it being alleged that all the machinery in this store had been entered at an under value. The fraud was discovered a few weeks ago, when an engine was removed from bond and sent up to Echuca. On this one engine alone it is estimated that the revenue had been defrauded of £lB3 Is 9d.