DEFRAUDING THE CUSTOMS

Waikato Times, Volume XXXII, Issue 2595, 28 February 1889, Page 2

DEFRAUDING THE CUSTOMS

(RV TELEG'IAI'H.—I'RKSS ASSOCIATION.) Dun'EUIN, Wednesday. Tins morning Mr G. V. Shannon made his first examination of goods at the Dnnedm wharf, and as a result, tho first cases ho opened, which consisted of soft goods belonging to one of the largest Dunedin firms, were seized. The cases consisted of mixed goods with a largo quantity of driiggotting for making ladies' underskirts, which arc chargeable with twenty percent, ad valorem duty. These had been invoiced as striped shirtings and entered at the Customs as shirtings which are free. No doubt the Government will at once institute proceeding. The appointment of Mr Shannon, an ex change says, is about the best investment the Government have made for some time. The outcry by the importers against his appointment has by this time fully explained itself. The first incident of his brief official life was the seizure of a consignment of pianos at Auckland, which cleared over £100 to tho Government over all expenses. And, later still, a large consignment of drapery, belonging to a Duneidin firm, has been annexed at Christclmrch ; besides, a quantity of drapery belonging to a retail draper in Christchurch. All this is a curious commentary on the protestations of the importers at tho bare suspicion of dishonesty being imputed to them. The events of the last few weeks, however, have proved clearly enough that the suspicions were only too well founded, and that dishonesty is rampant in very high circles in the colony.