ALLEGED CUSTOMS FRAUD.

Otago Witness, Issue 3117, 10 December 1913, Page 58

ALLEGED CUSTOMS FRAUD.

ACCUSED BEFORE THE COURT. CHRISTCHURCH, December 5. Christopher Robert Smith came before the Police Court to-day charged with theft in connection with the Customs cases. He was remanded till Tuesday on bail—a personal guarantee of £250 arid one surety of £SOO. Samuel James M‘Cor mack was re-arrested on a charge of consniring to defraud the Customs. He was admitted to bail—a personal guarantee of £250 and oiio suretv of £SOO. Warrants are out for the arrest of other men, including a well-known Customs official in Lyttelton. At the Magistrate’s Court, Christchurch, on Wednesday, before Messrs W. Barrett and Henry Andrews, J.P.’s, Hugh Lawton Owen (Customs agent), Samuel James M'Cormack (Customs agent), and James Anderson Campbell (clerk in the Customs Office), appeared charged, on the information of William James Wratt, Collector of Customs at Christchurch, with theft. There were a number of charges, all the thefts (says the Press) being alleged to have been made during the lost four or five months. The amount involved was £l9B Bs. M'Cormack and Campbell were jointly charged on one information of theft, and Owen and Campbell on eight informations George Davies (Ltd.) and the Crown Clothing Company wore the firms from whom the thefts were alleged to have been made Mr Stringer, K.C., who prosecuted, said the cases at present were theft, but possibly a case of conspiracy might bo laid. Mr M. Donnelly appeared for the accused M'Cormack and Owen, and Mr Hoban for the accused Campbell. Mr Stringer asked for a remand until Tuesday, and this was granted. Bail was allowed,, each of the accused in £260, and two sureties each of £250, or one of £SOO. M'Cormack got bail immediately, and was liberated.