TWELVE GOLD RINGS.

Auckland Star, Volume XLII, Issue 192, 14 August 1911, Page 7

TWELVE GOLD RINGS.

EVASION OF DUTY. AUCKLAN'DER FINED £3O. In the Summons Division of the Water Police Court at Sydney on August Btb, before Mr. Payten, S.M., Inspector Donohue of the Customs Department, proceeded against Alexander Phillips, on a charge of evading the payment of duty on twelve gold rings which were alleged to have been imported into the Commonwealth on February 24 last by the defendant. The evidence of Senior-detective \.alkcr was to the effect that he searched the defendant's room at a Marrickvillc hotel, but was unable to discover anything. Subsequently defendant produced 12 gold rings, which he said had 'been manufactured in Auckland, and he had 'brought them to New South Wales bv the steamer Wimmera. The value of the rings was £3O, and the duty would be £9° Inspector Donohue stated that he believed the defendant was a dealer in jewellery. Phillips, in his evidence, stated that he was a horse-dealer and resided in Auckland, New Zealand, but at present was living at the Exchange Hotel, Marrtck-\-ille°having come to Sydney in February last.' At no time had he attempted to sell the rings. He was not engaged in anv jewellery business, neither directly nor indirectly. He had some of the rings made and did not pay duty on them, as he did not think he had to. He had sold one ring, but it was one that he had been wearing. In reply to the magistrate, defendant snid that he accounted for so many rin<rs being in his possession by the fact that he had bought most of them in a deceased person's estate, and had also set up a man in a jeweller's shop. He brought the rings to .Sydney for safe custody. The magistrate remarked that there was more likelihood of defendant losing them in carrying them about. The safest place -would have been in some bank in New Zealand. Defendant said that he had carried the Tings about, for the past two years. Defendant was fined £3O. and on the application of Inspector Donobue the jiaga >were confiscated.