EVADING THE CUSTOMS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLVII, Issue 14292, 11 February 1910, Page 6

EVADING THE CUSTOMS.

INDENT AGENT IN

TROUBLE

MINIMUM PENALTY IMPOSED. , A rather unusual case of evasion of Customs duty was brohgh*t before Messrs. B. Hobbs and H. fichofield, J.P.'s, at the Police Court yesterday morning, when Hugh Douglas' Guthrie, an indent agent, carrying on business. in Dunedin, was charged with making on November 23 last, a false declaration in regard to goods imported into Auckland . from a. London exporter. /. Mr. Sehvyn 3/ays conducted the pro- . secution, and s>'r. M. G. McGregor appeared, for the'? defendant. It was shown that the accused, who pleaded guilts had undoubtedly committed the offence, but was the victim of circumstances and no party to deliberate fraud. ,An invoice with regard to goods sent bit was received by him from the exporter* and he had no knowledge of the incorrect . statement " contained therein. It was clearly the exporter's intention to &end his goods into, the Dominion wjjhout paying sufficient duty. Defendant-had only had dealings with tho same firm.' on one previous occasion, and had had jo trouble with them then. Unthe exporters in question carried on business in England, and having no colonial agents were beyond the jurisdiction if the Court.

Counsel for the prosecution pointed out the straightforward manner in which defendant had acted throughout the proceedings, snd stated that he was quite satisfied tlat no underhand dealing had been contemplated •by him. It was, however, necesVary for the Court to inflict a fine, and he asked that the penalty be made as lijht as possible. , The Bench decided to impose the minimurt penalty of £25.