HISTORY OF SIMBA CASE

Taranaki Daily News, 15 August 1931, Page 11

HISTORY OF SIMBA CASE

PROSECUTION BY CUSTOMS

VALUE OF HORSE UNDERSTATED.

FINES IN SYDNEY TOTAL £125.

By Telegraph—Press Assn.—Copyright.

Rec. 10.20 p.m. Sydney, Aug. 14. The charges against William Calnan and George Guest arising from the impor' tion of the racehorse Simba from New- Zealand were heard to-day. Calnan was charged with wrongfully stating the value of the horse and with having wrongfully described Simba. Guest was charged with having understated Simba’s value at £l5O.

• Evidence was given by Customs officers that Calnan, who was described as a livestock shipper, took delivery of Simba from the Ulimaroa in May, saying he intended jo race the horse at pony meetings. When asked about its value for primage duty he replied, “about £100.” He signed a letter to that effect. . -. . A Customs investigation officer later interviewed Calnan, when. be. admitted the horse was not his and that he was merely acting for Joe Smith, pony trainer. At another interview when Guest was present Guest interposed, “Simba was consigned to Joe Smith by mistake. Mr. Jamieson, of New Zealand, who bought this horse for me and who knew Smith used to trainhorses" for me, was not asvare tlrat Smith had given up training, and I forgot to tellhim.”

A Customs officer said Guest told - him he did not want the fact known that Simba was worth a big price as it would affect the betting market. .He also feared Calnan would get into the betting market ahead of him. The primage duty originally paid was £ll 14s lid, since then £7O, 9s lOd had been paid. j Calnan was fined £lOO with £7 4s 6d costs, in default . imprisonment until the fine is paid. Guest was fined £25. Each was allowed a month to pay the fines.;