DEFRAUDING THE CUSTOMS

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LII, Issue 325, 26 February 1910, Page 5

DEFRAUDING THE CUSTOMS

——.—^ AN EXPENSIVE SAVING. By Telegraph.—Press Association. Dunedin, Last Night. Henry Frapwell s a mounmentalist, t was charged at the Police Court to-day I with makinw a false Customs deelaru- .. tion. Mr. Fraser, K.C., said Frapwcll imported goods from Watts, London. WaEts sent two invoices, accompanied by a letter. This stated that for Cus--1 toms purposes the second invoice wis enclosed, and on it was attached the usual declaration made bv the shipp n r. This invoice set forth the value of the goods at less than the actual cost. It placed the value at £25, whereas the veal value was £32 4s, so that Watts, by saving the duty on £7, trapped the .customer into a serious offence, involving a penalty of £IOO. j The Collector of Customs said he was . satisfied that the defendant wa« the wietim of fraudulent practice. ! Mr. Payne, for the defendant, pointed '.out that he had not asked Watts to send the false invoice. • The Magistrate said he was satisfied that no moral blame attached to defendant. Mr. Fraser said the shipping agent (Campbell) was also unaware of the second invoice.. The defendant was fined £1(10 (re- j ducod to £25) and costs £3 12s. j I ==========