SMUGGLING CHARGES.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume XLII, Issue XLII, 24 July 1923, Page 5

SMUGGLING CHARGES.

FISHERMAN AND CAMEOS.

(BY TELEGRAPH -—PB.EBB ASSOCIATION.) WELLINGTON, July 23. An interesting case, in which an Italian fisherman named Francesco Cataldo was chaged with smuggling 200 cameos into New Zealand and unshipping them here without a permit, was heard befor Mr. E. Page, S.M. The Crown Prosecutor (Mr. P. S. E. Macassey) conducted the case for the prosecution and the defendant was represented "by Mr. J.. S. Haiina. *• . 'Mr. Macassey said the:defendant had arrived in New Zealand from Italy onJune 6, 1921. and had 200 cameos in his possession. 104 of which he sold to a iocaV ieweller, S. G. Rose. The case was then brought under the notice of the Customs and the greater number of the cameos were recovered. . Basil Warring, a clerk in the Customs Office, gave evidence that the Customs Duties Act of 1908 imposed a duty on all goods imported with certain exceptions. On variows fancy goods there was a duty of 30 per cent. The cameos imported were classed as fancy poods, and this had been the case for the past 15 years. According to the Finance Act- of 1915 a duty of one per cent, was due on all goods imported into New Zealand, and in June, 1923, the Minister definitely stated that cameos made of shell were fancy goods. Mr; McLaurin, Collector of Customs, said cameos were eiassed as fancy goods by the head office in 1882. and a duty had been paid on cameos for the past forty years. The purchaser of the cameos said she had no idea at the time of the purchase that the goods had not been through the Customs. Defend ant said he purchased the cameos: from a boat whicli came alongside the steamer at Narvles. Decision was reserved.