MORE CUSTOMS CASES.

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 2130, 23 April 1914, Page 6

MORE CUSTOMS CASES.

CLERK & LANDING WAITER

THE CLERK QUITS THE OIJBNJRY,

(By Telcßre.j.h.—Press Assoeia.ti«B.i Ohristchufch, April 22, At tbo Magistrate's ' Court to-day Jamps Edward Ruiuflo, CusToftis officer, and Norman Bartav, riorifj ware charged that, on April 20, 1912, at ChristciiUreh, they stole tire jam of £37 165.., the property of Barkviv Bros. Mr. Wright prosecuted and Mr. S. G. Raymond, K.C, was for tiro accused KundJe. Mr, Wright sakl that outy oho defoudont was present, Tlie information had been laid against both Bundle and Barlow, but tie. latter lwd left the Dotnuiion. Eundle was ft landing waiter, and B;irlotv ivas employed by tbo firm of Barlow Bros., and it was part of his dfey, to make entries in connection with t4ie importation of tobacco. The case concDrncd the' receipt- of ten cases of tnbacco imported through the British Biiipire trading Company, ox Warfirnoa, iir April, 1912. Five of tlicso were clear<?il on the arflyal of tfe vessel at Lyfctelton, awl the balance was sait to a bonded warehouse and cleared later. A discrepancy had occurred in connection, with the- prime-'entry for tte first five (iasos made out by Norman Baflow, tJjc weight of which whs 7161b., though tie entry fihowed s'OOlln only, the diiifor-e-iice being; 216)!). at 35.. 6d. duty per lb. TJiis represented the amount iijvolyed hi tho charge. Mr. WrigJit sujariitted. that with the signs dearly stamped on the boxos of tobacco it was not- easy io-makc a mistake in regard tothe entries, Ho contend eel that fiavlow had cAminittocl the tlaeft a»d that Rundlo was a pary thereto, a«d, ns apeessary, was alreost equally culpable wtth the princiiKil. ' Rundlo pleafled not guilty, reserved liis defencc, and \ras committed to the Suwomo Comi for t«al. It was mentioited in evidence 'tftat n wftrrniit had heen issued for th 6 arrest of John M'Ktmioa, former officer of. the Customs Bepartoeirt, bat now mi* dent- outside of tlio Douiijiioii.