Smuggler Hid Watches In Elephant’s-Feet Stools

Press, Volume CIII, Issue 30498, 21 July 1964, Page 16

Smuggler Hid Watches In Elephant’s-Feet Stools

(N.Z. Press Association) NEW PLYMOUTH, July 20. A Swiss watchmaker, Ernest Zuber, aged 44, smuggled watches into New Zealand by secret-

ing them in stools made from cured elephant’s feet, counsel for the Collector of Customs, Mr J. P. Quilliam, said in the New Plymouth Magis-

trate’s Court today. Mr Quilliam said Zuber had embarked on a large scale system of smuggling. Zuber (Mr St. Leger H. Reeves) was fined a total of £225 by Mr A. W. Yortt, S.M., when he pleaded guilty to five charges, three brought by the police and two by the Collector of Customs. Mr Yortt said he would not allow Zuber any time to pay the fine, other than the ordinary period. “I think he is getting off light with the fines I have imposed,” he said. Zuber was fined £lOO for smuggling into Wellington, on June 2, 206 watches, six clocks, one gold ring, four music boxes, watch strap parts and bands, imitation pearl necklaces, ornaments, toys and other articles. He was also fined £lOO for making a false baggage declaration regarding the goods. Both charges were laid by the Collector of Customs. The Magistrate fined Zuber £25 for bringing firearms into New Zealand without a permit. On two other charges, of unlawfully possessing ammunition and firearms, he was convicted and discharged. Mr Quilliam said since com-

ing to New Zealand in 1951 Zuber had made several trips, the last of which was between April and June this year. He returned from Switzerland on June 2. Home Searched Three customs officers and a police constable who searched his premises on June 19' found 684 United States dollars. A suitcase packed with watches was found in Zuber's car. A small note-book seemed to record his purchases and the prices he paid for goods. Zuber arrived with 26 pieces of luggage, Mr Quilliam said. The smuggled goods were apparently placed among the baggage. Zuber had admitted that some watches were secreted in small stools, made from cured elephant’s feet. Senior-Sergeant B. G. Waller said police found three pistols and a quantity of ammunition in Zuber's home. Zuber' said he had brought them from Switzerland. He ■had expected to sell them in South Africa, but had been unable to contact a buyer. “Open To Detection” Mr Reeves said that the most extraordinary feature of the case was the way in which Zuber had left himself “wide open” to detection. This was in contrast to true smugglers. “The only conclusion one can draw from it all is that he brought the things to New Zealand not intending to do anything but keep them,” he said.

Mr Yortt: Yes, but what would he do with all those watches?

Mr Reeves said that Zuber had worked for a watch manufacturer in Switzerland and had been sold the watches at cheap prices. He thought that he might as well keep them. Mr Reeves said Zuber had lost everything in the affair. He had gone to Switzerland to arrange for his widowed mother and his fiancee to come to New Zealand. The dollars belonged to his mother. Zuber was unaware he was not allowed to bring them into New Zealand.