COMMERCIAL.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 4146, 4 July 1874, Page 4

COMMERCIAL.

Alleged Evasion - of the Customs Act,—Tim question of double invoices will be brought prominently under the notice of the public shortly, in connection with x>roceedings which are about to bo taken against an importing firm in the boot and shoo trade. A consignment to the house in question has been stopped by the Customs authorities, on the ground that the invoice upon which duty was tendered was not the one representing the real trade value of the goods. It is asserted, or suspected, that the firm has been in the habit of paying duty on an invoice much below tho market value of the goods, and disposing of the consignment to their customers under tho pretence that duty had been paid upon much higher invoice prices. The firm concerned state that they have paid dutv in accordance with an arrangement made by them with the Customs authorities in 1870, by which 25 per cent, was added to tho ** manufacturing cost ° of tho goods, which are made in England specially for them, the manufactory having been started by them, and being carried on with their capital. They applied in 1870 to tho then Commissioner of Customs to have tho goods passed by paying duty on tho cost price of manufacturing, but this was not allowed ; and, ns they assert, it was arranged that 25 per cent, should be added to that, and duty paid upon the invoice price and the percentage. Such aio both sides of the case, so far as has been ascertained at present, and no doubt fuller particulars will bo elicited in Court.—Melbourne Daily Telegraph, Juno 24. BY TELEGRAPH. AUCKLAND. Mr. Buckland reports as follows: —Fat sheep, 4d, per Zb.; fat cattle, 255, to 325. Cd.; dairy cows, £5 to £9105.; shorn lambs, 9s. 6cl. to 10s. Cd. Mr. Alexander Saunders reports ;—Sales; Thames Gas, S4s. Gd.; Crown Prince, 235. Cd.; City of York, 11s, Buyers ; South British, 4Ss.; Standard, 12s. Cd,; Fiji Bank, 555. ; Moanatairi, Sss.; Inverness, 35.; City of York, 11s.