LIQUOR ON LINERS.

Auckland Star, Volume LV, Issue 248, 18 October 1924, Page 7

LIQUOR ON LINERS.

CASE AGAINST ORDUNNA. DISMISSED IN AMERICA. (Received 0.30 a.m.) NEW YORK, October 17. Federal Judge Hand has dismissed the , proceedings against the Royal Mail j liner Ordunna for alleged violations of , the prohibition and narcotic laws. The Federal Prosecutor, in his complaint, cited 45 alleged causes of forfeiture, of which the Court recognised only six, and fixed the penalties because of the failure to enter on the manifest the liquor aboard. The Court held that since the Ordunna was unquestionably a common, carrier, her failure to manifest her narcotics and liquor constitutes no ground of forfeiture unless the owners are privy thereto. It is alleged that the Government had contended it was unnecessary to prove the owners' privy or consent.—(A. and X.Z.) On March 13 the Royal mail steamer Ordunna, 15,490 tons, was seized by New York Federal agents following the discovery aboard her of liquors and narcotics valued at 10,000dol. The Government immediately ibegan forfeiture proceedings, officials regarding the ship as coming under the same category as a rum-runner caught within the 12-mile zone. The seizure was the first in AngloAmerican history, and caused a sensation in official and diplomatic circles. Eight of the crew of the Ordunna, including two officers, were arrested.