CUSTOMS PROSECUTION.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LX, Issue 18457, 21 July 1923, Page 12

CUSTOMS PROSECUTION.

REFUND OF DUTY.

DEFENDANTS FINED £25.

Two charges laid under the Customs Act were erred in the Police Court yesterday before Mr. J. W. Poynton, S.M., against Paykel Brothers, Limited (Mr. R. MoVeagh). Defendants .were charged with having made an erroneous entry relating to "drawback" charges. Mr. Patterson, who. appeared for the col lector of Customs, explained that the term "drawback" meant the refund of the duty which was allowed on goods which were exported after they had been imported, provided that no use had been made of them while in the country. Oue information was withdrawn. The oharge. according to counsel, related to a consignment of belting. The case containing the belting, which had been used to drive a cement kiln was nailed down and the nails had to be drawn. The customs searcher inspected the case and pointed out that some goods hjd been used. Then he was handed a copy of correspondence between , the defendants and the Philadelphia firm to which the belting was being returned. For the defence, counsel said that the case had not been nailed down. The explanatory correspondence was handed to the oustoms official before his search was made, and the correspondence contained the statement that use had been made of the belting. The official, however, allowed the case to be closed up, he put his seal on it, and allowed a refund of duty. Counsel submitted that $, blunder had been made, and the case i' was one for lenient consideration. ■<,"•"''. The magistrate imposed a fine of ', £25 and* costs. The maximum penalty for the offence is £100.