RESIDENT MAGISTRATE'S COURT CHAMPBELLTOWN.

Southland Times, Issue 938, 22 April 1868, Page 2

RESIDENT MAGISTRATE'S COURT CHAMPBELLTOWN.

APRIL 20, 1868. (Before I. N. Watt, Esq., R.M.) Charles Barry was convicted for having landed one case containing about 401bs of tobacco, from the " Rangitoto," contrary to section 165 of the Customs Regulations Act, 1858, whereby he has forfeited the penalty of £100. Defendant pleaded not guilty. Robert Adams, purser, deposed — I know Charles Barry ; he is fore-cabin steward; I am responsible for all the other stores. The tobacco | belongs to the chief steward. The tobacco produced is part from the fore-cabin pantry and stewards' pantry. When I went into the forecabin this morning with Mr O'Toole I found only one package of tobacco there, and a part of it was gone. Christopher P. De Sales O'Toole deposed : I am an officer of Customs. The Rangitoto arrived this morning from Melbourne about halfpast ten. Shortly after I noticed Charles Barry proceeding from the wharf to Gore-street, carrying what appeared to be a package of fruit j on his shoulder. I went to him and asked him ! what he had there. He said it was fruit, and hewas taking it to an hotel keeper. I said " Let me look at it," and I saw it was tobacco, and I seized it. He said it was given him in Melbourne to take to the hotel keeper. I opened the case and i found it contained two portions of tobacco. I took one of the plugs and went on board the steamer and compared it with the other stores in charge of the chief steward, and found it corres- ! I ponded with what was there. I went then to the j fbrecabin pantry, over which the defendent had ! charge. I found one package there — the tobacco seized resembled it. ! Cross-examined by defendant: "Was there ! any hesitation on my par* in showing you the I contents of the case ?" " No." Isaac Bunten, sworn, deposed : I know Chas. Barry, he is fore-cabin steward. I have known him thirteen years. I am chief cabin steward. The tobacco belongs to me. I sell it to the forecabin steward as he wants it. I supplied him with three boxes when we l«ft Melbourne. The quantity generally used from Melbourne and back is about 601bs. There were about 181bs in the fore-cabin this morning. This closed the case. The defendant was found guilty of having in \ hiß possession on the wharf, unlawfully, about j 40ibs tobacco, with the intention of defrauding Her Majesty's revenues, and was fined in the sum of £100, or imprisoned until the same be paid. - The prisoner was removed to Invercargill this morning.