CUSTOMS ACT INFRINGED.

Otago Witness, Issue 3783, 14 September 1926, Page 75

CUSTOMS ACT INFRINGED.

DONKEYMAN EVADES OFFICER. AUCKLAND, September 7. A donkey mar employed on the Wainui, named Arthur Edward Mackenzie, was prosecutod by the Collector of Customs (Mr Penn) at the Police Court this morning on a charge of wilfully obstructing a Customs officer iu the performance of his duty. Mr R. N. Moody appeared for Mackenzie, who pleaded not guilty. Norman Glanfield. a Customs officer, said he was on duty atone of the wharves when he observed Mackenzie carrying an overcoat over his arm. The coat contained something bulky, so witness accosted him. Witness felt something solid inside the overcoat, and questioned defendant about it. Mackenzie then ran away across the old dock site with witness in pursuit. Witness then hailed a taxi cab, and continued the chase. W ith the assistance of another man Mackenzie was caught and placed in the taxi, and was taken to the wharf police station. At the station he was searched but nothing was found in his possession. The site over which defendant ran was searched, but nothing was found. A witness named MTlveen, who assisted the previous witness in the search, said he saw Mackenzie shake something out of a handkerchief as he ran across the old dock site. Mr Moody told the magistrate that Mackenzie war an excitable person, who had lost his head and foolishly ran away. The Magistrate (Mr F. K. Hunt): Has he got a bad conscience? Mr Moody: 1 do not know’ whether he has : bad conscience or not. but certainly he has not a bad conscience in regard to having Customs goods in his possession. The Defendant then gave evidence. “I do not know,” he said, “what came over me when I ran away. I was under observation all the time, and never threw anything away.” Mr Hunt: You had better cure yourself of that, you know. Were you taking anything home with you in your coat? —No, sir. Mr Hunt: It was your duly to stop wheu required by the Customs officers, i will inflict a fine of £5 and costs. That is the minimum penalty prescribed under the Act.