THE SMUGGLER SHIFT.

Oamaru Mail, Volume IV, Issue 1319, 18 September 1880, Page 2

THE SMUGGLER SHIFT.

(by telegraph.) Auckland, Sept. 18. The capture of the smuggled jewellery in the possession of the German, Jacob Seift, and his being fined LIOO for smuggling did not end the extraordinary business. Some gold dust was found among his effects, whjch the police seized, The defendant claimed the gold dust and said it was not smuggled but that he had procured it down south in exchange for goods, and he asked that it should be returned to him. The Magistrate decided to consider the matter and the result was that a fresh information was laid by Mr. ! Hill, under the Gold Duties Act. The defendant was mulcted in a penalty of 20s and costs, though ahly defended by Mr. Dufaur, who urged that ag the gold had not bpen removed from the Colony there could have been no export. The Bench, however, held that shipment of gold from one port to another was an export. Then the ability of tlje delinquent to pay the fine was a matter for discussion, but this difficulty was 500.11 solved, for though he denied his ability, the detectives discovered amongst his efi'ect3 at the hotel where he lodged a cartridge case containing about 200 so vs., although the defendant had averred that it only contained cartridges. Out of this treasure he paid the fine and costs.