Customs Officer On Bribery Charges

Press, Volume CIX, Issue 31922, 25 February 1969, Page 28

Customs Officer On Bribery Charges

(New Zealand Press Association)

WELLINGTON, February 24.

rhe Lower Court hearing of four bribery charges against a former customs officer, Harold John Head, began in the Magistrate’s Court today.

Head was charged that between April 31, 1966. and April 19, 1967, on four occasions, being an officer employed by the Customs Department, he corruptly accepted a bribe in actioning New Zealand Customs Department delivery orders and baggage sufferance forms for goods imported by an individual in one case and a Wellington firm in three cases. The total amount of thi jribes was $2028. Suppression of name wai ’ranted to the individual anc he Wellington firm.

The total amount of the bribes was $2028.

Suppression of name was granted to the individual and the Wellington firm. No plea was taken. Mr A. B. Sievwright, with him Mr N. R. Sievwright,

appealed for Head. Mr W. R. Birks prosecuted and Mr W. McAlevey, S.M., was on the bench.

George Carstair Simpson, manager of Receiving and Delivery Services, Ltd, based at Clyde Quay, said that his firm carried out duties in the wharf sheds. The firm took charge of cargo. Mr Simpson said that before an agent (consignee) could get his cargo he must obtain a delivery order from the customs and a delivery form or bill of lading from the shipping company. The tally clerk then issues to the consignee’s truck driver delivery dockets. Three Dockets The dockets contain the number of items and the type of goods. The docket is signed by the driver and the tally clerk. It is made out in triplicate—the original is retained in the book, the other two are given to the driver. He then gives one to the Harbour Board toll clerk who checks the goods on the truck to see if it has what is on the docket. The clerk then enters it in an alphabetically listed check book. There is one or several for each ship. In reply to Mr Sievwright’s question as to who gives the firm the authority, the wit-

ness said the firm has a bond with the customs to ensure that the firm carries out the correct procedure for delivery of cargo. “There is also a bond with the Harbour Board that we will not deliver any cargo on which their dues have not been paid.” Mr Simpson said the firm handles all cargo coming into the town berths in the Port of Wellington. Mr Sievwright: You have a monopoly?—That is correct.