ALLEGED SMUGGLING OF CAMEOS

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LVI, 24 July 1923, Page 4

ALLEGED SMUGGLING OF CAMEOS

.PROSECUTION AT WELLINGTON

(United Press Association)

WELLINGTON, This Day,

An interesting case in which an Italian fisherman, Francesco Cat aide, was charged with smuggling two hundred cameos into New Zealand, also with unshipping them here without a permit, was hoard in the Magistrate’s Court. Customs officers gavq evidence as to the regulations governing cameos, which are classed ns fancy goods, also that the Minister in June 1923 declared cameos made from shell were fancy goods. Tt was contended for the defence that the prosecution were obliged to prove that the goods were dutiable. Counsel contended that the regulation of 1923 could not refer to smuggling which had taken place in 1921. and in which year the cameos were not dutiable. It- was oxprcsslv stated in the Customs Act Amendment Act of 1921 that precious stones, whether uncut or fine, were .altogether free from duty. The man had acted innocently throughout and even if questioned by tfic Customs would not have been able to understand as lie could not understand English. The magistrate reserved his decision.