DODGED THE CUSTOMS

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LII, Issue 17133, 8 September 1926, Page 10

DODGED THE CUSTOMS

CHASE IX THE DARK

V SEAMAN PINED

(Per Press Association. 1 ' AUCKLAND; last night. A donkeyman employed on the Wai imi. Artlicr Edward Mackenzie, was prosecuted by the Collector of Customs Ml*. Penn) at the Police Conn this morning on a charge of wilfully oh slrueting a Customs officer in the per forma nee of his duty. Mr. R. X. Moody appeared for Mackenzie, who pleaded not guilty. Neman Glaniield. a Customs officer.

said he was on duty at one of the wharves when lie observed Mackenzie carrying an overcoat over his; arm. The coat contained something bulky so the witness accosted him. Witness felt something solid inside the overcoat and questioned the defendant a hum i.r. Mackenzie then ran away across the old dock site with witness in pursuit. Witness hailed a taxi cab and continued (lie chase with the assistance of another man. Mackenzie was caught and placed in the taxi, being taken to the wharf police station. At the station he was searched but, nothing was found in his possession. The por-

tion of the old dock site, over which the defendant ran, was searched, but nothing' was found.. AN EXCITABLE PERSON' A witness named M'cliveen, 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 thai Mackenzie was an excitable person who had lost his head and had foolishly run away. ' Magistrate Hunt: Lias he got a bad conscience.' Mr. Moody: 1 don't know whether iie has a bad conscience or not. Certainly not a bad conscience as to having Customs gooes. The defendant than gave evidence. '' I don 't know wha I came o\ or mo when I ran away, i was under ohservul ion all the lime and uc\er threw nnvthing awav. Mr. Hunt: Von had better core yourself of that, you Know. Were you taking anything home with you in the coat !— Xo sir. Mr. llunt: It was your duty to stop when required by a Cost ems otlic.fr. L will inflict, a line of C 5 and costs. Thai is the minimum penalty prescribed under the Act.