EXPORT OF GOLD.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIII, Issue 207, 1 September 1932, Page 8

EXPORT OF GOLD.

AUCKLAND TO SYDNEY.

BUYER AND STEWARD FINED.

PROPERTY FORFEITED,

Percy John Wince, 30, ship?s. steward, who was arrested by the Sydney police ;some weeks ago on the arrival of his ship from Auckland, and was extradited to New Zealand, appeared in the Police Court this , morning with George Washington, gold buyer, who was arrested in Auckland on similar charges shortly after Wince's arrest. Both were charged with exporting coined gold, 207 sovereigns and 219 halfsovereiguSj at Auckland on July 13, without the written consent of the Minister of Finance. Both were further charged with knowingly being concerned in the export of gold liable for duty, with intent to defraud His Majesty. The Crown Solicitor, who appeared for the Collector of Customs, said that the first charge was an indictable one. Wince and Washington pleaded guilty ,to the second charge. . "Wince is apoor man, and he was only asked to take the gold across to Sydney with him on- the boat from Auckland," said counsel for this accused. "The duty involved in. this' elaborate process of taking the gold to Australia was only £3 15/. Wince has suffered untold agonies; he was confined 1 for 16 days in prison and had niany interviews with Sydney detectives. Aβ the minimum fine on such a charge is £25, I am. afraid your Worship must impose it. However, I would suggest that the indictable charge should not be proceeded with." N.S.W. Government Gains. Mr.,F. K. Hunt, S.M., remarked that no .doubt the indictable charge would not be pressed, otherwise Wince would be punished twice for the same, offence. The Crown Solicitor said lie would ask for a week's remand on the indictable charge in order that the matter might be looked into. > i Wince was fined £25 and costs £2 12/. "Where's the gold now?" asked the magistrate. , ■ "The New South Wales Government has the gold," said the Crown Solicitor. "While we object to gold going away from here, New South Wales does not mind keeping it." . "Take All the Blame." "My client takes all the blame for Wince," eaid counsel for Washington. "Washington lias been buying, gold in Auckland, and he merely got Wince- to take it to , Sydney for him. Washington lias been put to considerable expense, and lie will have to pay Wince's fine as well as his own." The Crown Solicitor remarked that the important thing was the concealment of the gold and not the email amount of the duty saved. Counsel added that the gold had been automatically forfeited. There had been no evasion, the trouble being that Washington had not obtained a permit, which he no doubt would have got had he aeked for it. Washington was also lined £25. . Both, men were remanded until next Thursday on the first charge, the magistrate releasing them on their own surety provided they reported to the police once daily. • •