UNCUSTOMED GOODS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 25384, 16 November 1943, Page 6

UNCUSTOMED GOODS

HOTELKEEPER HEAVILY FINED ACTION OF PURCHASERS CRITICISED Fines totalling £9O were imposed on John Cunningham, aged 34, an hotelkeeper, when he was found guilty by Mr H. W. Bundle, S.M., in the Police Court yesterday on three charges of having assisted in the sale of uncustomed goods. Mr C. J. L. White appeared for the defendant, and Mr H. S. Adams conducted the prosecution. The charges related to the sale by the defendant to a pharmacy and a hairdresser in the city of a quantity of combs and hair nets which, it was alleged, had been smuggled ashore from an overseas vessel by the man on whose behalf he sold them. The magistrate said that he had carefully considered the whole transaction and the defendant’s evidence, and in his opinion the defendant had given false evidence as to what took place when he obtained the combs from a man named C. A. Craib and sold them. His Worship added that in his opinion the - defendant had been clearly aiding and abetting Craib in the offence of smuggling. The defendant was convicted, and on each charge was fined £3O, with court costs (10s), and solicitor's fee (£3 3s). “I think it is my duty to refer to the actions of the purchasers of the combs and hair nets, Mr J. V. McClatchy and Mr J. A. Race, manager of the U.F.S. Dispensary," the magistrate said. At the present time most types of Imported goods were in short supply. When goods of an unusual nature were offered for sale through otiler than recognised channels, it was the clear duty of the purchasers to make full and careful inquiry as to the source of supply. On the evidence before him this could not have been done. The purchasers were apparently only too ready to seize the chance of obtaining the goods they desired. "If business men generally agreed to purchase goods without full inquiry as to their, origin,” the magistrate added,. " it is obvious that the sale of uncustomed or even stolen goods would be assisted.” ' The magistrate made a formal order for the forfeiture of the goods. Security for appeal was fixed at £lO 10s In each case.