GOLD FOR SYDNEY

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21289, 16 September 1932, Page 13

GOLD FOR SYDNEY

EXPORTATION ADMITTED ABSENCE OF WRITTEN PERMIT BUYER TO BE SENTENCED Two men, George Washington, gold buyer, and Percy John "Wince, steward, both aged 36, appeared on remand before Mr. F. K. Hunt, S.M., in the Police Court yesterday, charged with exporting coined gold, 207 sovereigns and 219 halfsovereigns, from Auckland on July 13 without the written consent of the Minister of Finance.

Detective McWhirter said that he informed Washington that Wince had been arrested at Sydney and found to be in the possession of a quantity of gold. When witness asked Washington from where the gold came, accused made a statement. In this statement, Washington said that he arrived from Australia at the end of Juno and, since that time, had been engaged in buying gold from jewellers and other persons connected with the gold trade. He had offices in Queen Street. Up to the departure of the Niagara for Sydney, he had purchased £BOO worth of gold, paying £1 6s 6d each for sovereigns. Washington added that he engaged Wince principally as a guide and messenger in Auckland. He arranged with him to take the £BOO worth of gold to his office in Sydney. The gold was in sealed packages and was taken by Wince as personal luggage. Neither accused made a declaration to customs officials about the exportation.

"I was in total ignorance of the law in this respect," Washington added. He stated further that he held a licence for gold-buying in Australia and had made exports to England. He had applied for the issue of a second-hand dealer's licence in New Zealand. Detective McWhirter said that Wince was arrested upon his return from Australia and had been frank about the matter. Wince made a statement saying that Washington gave him £7 or £8 for passage money and wages at £5. Washington said that he was to wait on board the vessel at Sydney until someone came to take the parcels, which Wince did not know contained gold until he was detained.

The charge against Wince was dismissed" by the magistrate. Washington pleaded guilty and was committed to the Supreme Court for sentence, bail being renewed.