DOMINION NEWS.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXVII, Issue 85, 10 December 1913, Page 3

DOMINION NEWS.

DROP FOR NOVEMBER. Wellington, December 9. The total'value of exports of New Zealand produce during November was £517,197, compared with £1,148,091 in the corresponding month of last year. For the twelve months ended November 30, 1913", the value of exports amounted to £22,280,130, compared with £19,658,918 in the previous twelve months. The values of the principal items for November, 1912 and 1913, were as follows:—Butter, 1912 £166,616, 1913, £242,907; cheese, £132,123 and £110,336; frozen lamb, £2078 dnd £860; hemp, £30,258 and £7659; rabliits and hares, £4756 and £9529; kauri gum, £27,147 and £763; hides and skins, £86,606 aiid £30,563; tallow, £22,047 and £4237; timber, £30,741 and £lS;§93; wool, £312,161 and £29,192; gold, £105,659 and £14,776. '

ALLEGED CUSTOMS FRAUD.

Christchurch* December 9. The Customs fraud cases came before the Magistrate’s Court. Samuel J. McCormick and James A. Campbell were charged with stealing £47, the property of Reynolds and Kinvig. Mr Wright represented the Customs, Mr Hobraan Campbell, and Mr Donnelly McCormick. Mr Wright stated that McCormick, a clerk in the employ of the New Zealand Express Company, passed entries for certain woollen goods as cotton piece goods, duty free. Campbell, a Customs clerk, received the entry from McCormick, compared it with the invoice, examined the goods and certified. Reynolds and Kinvig were delated with the amount, £4B odd, by the Express Company, and subsequently paid it. No part of the money went to the Customs Department. The local manager of the Express Company and others gave evidence, and accused were committed for trial. The question of bait was reserved. H. L. Owen and J. A. Campbell were charged with- stealing £l6 16s from George Davis and Company. (3wen was a clerk in the employ of Davis. Evidence showed that he passed for Customs entry a quantity of dutiable dress goods as tailors' trimmings, etc.,, which* here duty free. The false entry was certified by Campbell. The firm paid the duty, which did not reach the Customs.