EXPORT OF SILVER

Otago Daily Times, Issue 21993, 30 June 1933, Page 10

EXPORT OF SILVER

SHIPS OFFICERS CHARGED A REMAND GRANTED (Per United Press Association.) AUCKLAND, June 29. . When the Marama arrived from Wellington this afternoon the police boarded the vessel and arrested the second officer and the seventh engineer on charges of attempting to export silver from New Zealand without a permit from the Minister. Later, Stanley Arthur Smith, aged 33, second officer, and William Henry Noy, aged 27, seventh engineer, appeared before Mr F. K. Hunt, S.M., in the Police Court, Smith being charged with attempting to export silver to the value of £Bl, and Noy with attempting to .export silver to the value of £65. , Mr Allan Moody appeared for the accused. Detective Sergeant M'Hugh said that each warrant was issued by the Customs authorities at Wellington. He asked that both men be remanded to appear in Wellington to-morrow. ■ Mr Moody said that both the accused would plead not guilty. Both were well known* in the Union Company. Smith had been on the Manama for the. last five years. If they could not be remanded on bail for 14 dayg. so that they, could sail by the Marama for Sydney tp-imorrow. ahd return within 14 .days,-counsels"aSked, that they be remanded to : appear in Wellington, in a few days’ time: ; . ' d. > ; Detective Sergeant M'Hugh said he was instructed to oppose bail in both cases, and also to object .to any further remand; ..'■Mr Hunt said he must obey the warrant. which asked that they appear in Wellington to-morrow. He, was willing to allow bail, t

Mr Moody: They will not be ,tried tomorrow, and therefore a few days’ longer remand won’t do any harm. - I can put up cash bonds in each 'case to ensure that’they will appear, lam prepared to. admit that silver was found in their possession in Wellington... The whole point ;is. one of law. The ship left Wellington for,: Auckland, and- not for Aus- , tralia.. There.is no. proof that they Were taking any silver to Australia. • Detective . Sergeant 'M'Hugh: The allegations by the Wellington police are that they had specially fitted-up belts to put round their bodies to carry the silver. Mr MoOdy; They were, not arrested, in .Wellington.: , , , . .. . Detective Sergeant M'Hugh: I can explain that. The reason they were not arrested . was that it , would have meant "delaying the departure of the ’Marama from Wellington on Tuesday night.. The ’master required the Second officer for navigation purposes. That’s why he-was ’hot arrested. ; ■ ■'

■ After further- argument the magistrate adjourned the case until, later to enable: Mr: Moody to telephone to Wellington and. ascertain if a lurther remand could be granted. Subsequently Detective Ser-j geant M'Hugh said: d have been instructed to ask. that bail should not bo granted until after 3 o’clock to-morrow afternoon, when' the Marama i sails ' for Sydney. , Mr Hunt: What’s the idea of that? They are entitled to bail now. Detective Sergeant M'Hugh: L am unable to disclose the reason. Mr Moody: I ask that these men be remanded until next Wednesday. . W£y should .they remain in custody till the ship sails?-, , ■•' ■ Mr Hunt: Certainly. Why should they just because the police want them to? ' ... Mr Moody: They are, prepared" to .go with a responsible police, .officer while; they get their belongings, and then, they will not return to the ship again. * Mr Hunt: W’U you men undertake to keep away from the ship? ' "Yes, sir,” they.replied. The magistrate then remanded both men to appear at Wellington on July 5.: Each was allowed hail in £SO.