CUSTOMS OFFICER'S CHASE

Evening Star, Issue 19349, 8 September 1926, Page 2

CUSTOMS OFFICER'S CHASE

OBSTRUCTION GIIAHSE SUCCEEDS [Per United Press Association.] AUCKLAND, September 7. A donkeyntan employed on the VVnimii, named Arthur Edward Mackenzie, was prosecuted by tho Collector of Customs (Mr Penn) at the Police Court this morning on a charge of wilfully obstructing a Customs officer in the performance of his duty. Mr R. N. Moody appeared for Mackenzie, who pleaded not guilty. Norman Glanfield, a Customs officer, said ho was on duty at one of the wharves when ho observed Mackenzie carrying an overcoat over his arm. The coat contained something bulky, so witness accosted him. Witness felt, something solid inside tho overcoat, and questioned defendant about it. Mackenzie then ran away across the old dock site, with witness in pursuit. Witness then Hailed a taxi-cab and continued tho chase." With the assistance of another man Mackenzie was caught and placed in tho taxi, and was taken to the wharf police station. At the station he was searched, hut nothing was found in his possession. The site over which defendant ran was searched, but nothing was found. A witness named M'Tlveen, who assisted tho previous witness in the search, said he saw Mackenzie shake something out of a handkerchief as he ran across the old dock site.

Mr Moody told tho magistrate that Mackenzie was an excitable person, who had lost his head and foolishly ran aw r ay. The Magistrate (Mr F. K. Hunt) ; Has ho got a bad conscience? Mr Moody; I do not know whether ho has a bad conscience or not, but certainly ho has not a had conscience in regard to having Customs goods in his possession.

The defendant then gave evidence. "I do not know,” he said, “ what came over me when I ran away. 1 was under observation all the time, and never threw anything away.”

Mr Hunt; Yon had better cure yourself of that, yon know. Were yon taking anything home with you in your coat?—No. sir.

Mr Hunt: It was yonr duty to stop when required by the Customs officers. I will inflict a, fine of and costs. That is the minimum penalty prescribed under the Act.