GOLD SENT TO SYDNEY

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21277, 2 September 1932, Page 13

GOLD SENT TO SYDNEY

Nb PERMIT OBTAINED fines imposed on two men I, "STEWARD'S CONSENT TO CARRY A steward, Percy John Wince, and a jjold George Washington, both aged 36, appeared before Mr. F. K. Hunt, S.M., in the Police Court yesterday, charged with exporting coined gold, consisting of 207 sovereigns and 219 halfsovereigns, at Auckland on July 13, without the written consent of the Minister of Finance, and with knowingly being concerned in the export of gold liable for duty, with intent to defraud His Majesty.

The accused men pleaded guilty to the count of' exporting gold liable for duty, with intent to defraud. Wince was recently arrested in Sydney upon the arrival of thoyvessel on which he was employed, and he was extradited to New Zealand. Counsel for Wince said his client was a poor man. He had been requested to take the gold to Sydney with him on tho steamer and the duty involved amounted to only £3 15s. Wince was confined in prison for 16 days. Counsel said the minimum fipe was £25, and tho magistrate would have to impose it, but he requested that the indictable charge should not be carried further. "No doubt the indictable charge will not be pressed, for Wince would then be punished twice for the same offence," said the magistrate.

A remand for a week in order that the circumstances of tha indictable charge might/be'studied was requested by the Crown solicitor, who also mentioned that the gold involved was at present in the possession of the New South Wales government.

Counsel for Washington said the accused accepted the blame for Wince's action. Washington had been engaged in buying gold in Auckland, and Wince had been asked' to take the coins to Sydney. The accused was confronted by considerable expense, and he would have to pay Wince's fine.

"The important thing was the concealment of the gold, and not the saving oi a small amount of duty," the Crown solicitor stated.

Counsel commented that the g;old had been forfeited. Washington had simply neglected to obtain a permit, which he, no doubt, would have secured had he made a request. The accused were each fined £25 on the charge of exporting gold liable for duty, with/intent to defraud. In remanding the accused until September 8 on the indictable count, the magistrate granted bail in their own surety of £25 and ordered hem to report daily to the police.