JEWELLER CHARGED

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXI, Issue 21758, 24 March 1934, Page 12

JEWELLER CHARGED

ALLEGED GOLD COIN DEALER REGULATIONS ATTACKED [BY TELEGRAPH —PRESS ASSOCIATION] WELLINGTON, Friday

Prosecuted under the Board of Trade regulations, Harold Harding Morris, jeweller; of Wellington, pleaded not guilty before Mr. E. Page, S.M-, in the Police Court to-day to a charge of carrying on business as a gold coin dealer without a permit. James Forbe3. an employee of Morris, pleaded not guilty to a charge of aiding and abetting the offence. Morris pleaded guilty to a charge of melting down two sovereigns without the consent of the Minister of. Finance. i . Mr. C. Evans Scott, who prosecuted, said the evidence would show that Morris had .been carrying on the business of a gold coin dealer in that he was purchasing gold coins. Morris manufactured articles of jewellery, and it would be shown that he had admitted that he exported quantities of melted-down gold. The evidence would establish that on November 19, 1933, and on several subsequent dates, Morris and Forbes putchased eight sovereigns and two half-sovereigns from two police constables. The first four sales were made at 30s a sovereign and the last two at 295. . It was contended by Mr. Yaldwyn, who represented defendants, that Morris was not a dealer in gold coin within the meaning of the regulations, and secondly, that the gold coin regulations of 1932 were ultra vires. He contended that tho Governor-General-in-Council had not the power under the Board of Trade regulations, 1919, to make the 1932 regulations. Decision was reserved.