A CUSTOMS OFFICER'S MISTAKE.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume XLII, Issue 7629, 16 December 1902, Page 2

A CUSTOMS OFFICER'S MISTAKE.

Force of character -enables tho Min- •" istcr of Customs to carry himself with , success through difficulties created by i his gruff aud determined assertiveness (says the Melbourne Age). A [ Customs officer who recently endcav- , oured to imitate his chief, however, . fell in rather badly. Upon a vessel [ arriving from the loreig-n strand of . New Zealand, he walked up to an in- [ offensive looking young man who was smokiug a cigarette on the wharf, i and, pointing to a large chest, fasi tened with two padlocks, said, '"I i say, you must .open that box." The i young man blandly smiled, and with ; almost deferential politeness requested the officer to repair with the ut- : most celerity to— Kamschatka. The , Customs official waxed furious. "Look here," he exclaimed fiercely, "-'l'm , going to search that box. I believe ' it's stuffed with contraband. Band over your keys, or I'll have it broken open." The young man looked more placid ih&n ever. t( I decline to< do any such thing," he replied, and turned aside as if he would say "this conversation must cease." The infuriated Customs officer simply roared a third request for the immediate deliverance up of tho keys, and receiving no reply save a look fraught with infinite compassion ho ordered a couple of men to burst the box open. This was done, and neatly arrangpd layers of clothing were disclosed. Tho Customs officer strewed them purposely all over the wharf, and finding nothing dutiable, he said to the young mam, who still retained his imperturbable demeanour : " There, you can put' those things back now yourself, and you have only your infernal pig-hcadedness to thank for the trouble." " I don't think I'll bother, thanks," replied the young man, lighting another cigarette, " that's! not my box."