MODEL HATS SMUGGLED

King Country Chronicle, Volume XXVII, Issue 4459, 19 October 1933, Page 6

MODEL HATS SMUGGLED

LONDON WOMEN FINED PENALTIES TOTAL £IOO Paris model hats, one of which was taken to England over a year ago, were the subject of recent summonses at Folkstone against two London women alleging smuggling. There were three summonses against Grace Evelyn Donogay (now Mrs Tatton), for smuggling hats, one on July 1, 1932, another on October 20, 1932, and a third on Ma' r 4, last. She was fined a total of £BO. Against Miss Mary Burnside, there was a joint summons with Miss Donogay in respect of May 4. Miss Burnside was fined £2O. Counsel for the Customs authorities stated that Miss Donogay was employed by a West-end firm of wholesale milliners, and Miss Burnside was the working director of the firm. When Miss Donogay arrived at Folkestone from the Continent on May 4 last, she declared one hat and a piece of silk tissue. Asked about the hat she was wearing, she replied, “I will tell you all about it. That is a model for my firm.” The books of the firm were examined, and it was found that nine journeys had been made to Paris. On three occasions a hat or hats

had been imported without duty being paid. “These hats are of high value,” added counsel, “because they are models. They are the tools of the trade.” . Defending counsel states that the occasions when hats were not declared were when they were being worn. Duty had been paid on all hats imported at other times. Never at any time was Miss Donogay or Miss Burnside aware that hats that were being worn were liable to duty. Many people were not aware of this fact. “Miss Donogay’s duty,” said counsel, “was to go to Paris to get ideas, and during these duties she went to the wholesale houses where she had to make some purchases.”