GOLD FROM N.Z.

Dominion, Volume 25, Issue 278, 19 August 1932, Page 11

GOLD FROM N.Z.

£lOOO Worth Held Up . SYDNEY INJUNCTION “Too Clever,” Said Judge (By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright.) (Rec. August 18, 8 p.m.) Sydney, August 18. In the Equity Court to-day further argument was heard before Mr. Justice Harvey on an application for continuance of the ex parte Injunction granted on July 29 restraining the Commissioner of Police here and Hud-dart-Parker Limited from transhipping £lOOO worth of gold to New Zealand. The gold originally was consigned to Garrett and Davidson, metallurgists, of Sydney. Alan Garrett, a director of the firm, gave evidence that he had no knowledge of any attempt to evade the gold export duty on this gold, which was purchased from one George Washington in New Zealand. Counsel for the Police Commissioner asked: Did you get a cablegram from Washington saying “Developments here. Endeavour prevent return of gold to New Zealand at all costs. Maintaining ignorance”? Garrett: I took that to mean that Washington was ignorant of the New Zealand law. Counsel read a second cablegram: “Suggest your counsel claim right of innocent party. Willing suffer gaol. Don’t hesitate repudiation my action”;, also a third cable: “Do your best. Suggest you approach authorities lay claim. Blame me. Absolute silence here.” Counsel for the Commissioner asked: Was Washington asking you to blame him? Garrett: He was to blame absolutely. Mr. Justice Harvey interposed, “Too clever.” His decision was reserved. Percy Wince, described as a ship’s steward, was before the court in Sydney on July 29, charged with evasion of the duty payable on the export of gold from New Zealand, and was remanded till Auguse 5. It was stated that Wince had arrived a few days before bringing 350 sovereigns and £650 worth of broken jewellery for delivery to a Sydney firm of metallurgists. The gold was seized by the Customs authorities, and the police subsequently took possession of the gold, intending to ship it back. Wince’s principals explained that they were willing ,to pay the New Zealand duty, but the police were insistent on shipping it back to-day. However, Mr. Justice Harvey, at the instance of Wince’s principals hurriedly granted an «x parte injunction at the Equity Court restraining the Commissioner of Police from exporting the gold to New Zealand.