MOTOR CUSTOMS CASE

Otago Witness, Issue 3115, 26 November 1913, Page 27

MOTOR CUSTOMS CASE

LONDON, November 17. In the motor Customs case, after Neal had been further cross-examined, Mr Shorland, the manager of the Clement Talbot Company, gave evidence. He said a clerical mistake had been made in charging the defendants for new tyres attached to the chassis, when they were really secondhand ones. A letter was sent from his company to the defendants, wherein reference was made to the alterations in certain invoices. The letter stated that they were doing it only at the defendants’ request, and on the understanding that the defendants took the responsibility. Witness declared that the letter was not dictated by him, though it might have been written after discussion between him and one of the defendants. November 19. A curious situation has arisen in tho alleged motor Customs fraud case. Shorland, in response to a request by plaintiffs’ counsel to produce copies of any invoices supplied by his firm to defendants, submitted three which had been prepared on condition that the defendants absolved him from responsibility if the Customs raised trouble. The documents handed in did not refer to Australia. Two dealt with cars for Now Zealand, and the third with cars for South America. Counsel for the Commonwealth, explained that ho had never asked for thesa invoices. The Commonwealth solicitors, in September, had asked Shorland’s assistance in the matter of giving proof, and he did not respond until November, when ho t-tated that the Clement Company’s solicitor would see that assistance was given, but no proof was received from Shorlahd. On tho Magistrate’s suggestion the case was adjourned till Tuesday to enable Shetland to produce further documents.