"A SPORTING CHANCE."

Thames Star, Volume LXV, Issue 18242, 16 July 1931, Page 2

"A SPORTING CHANCE."

jEXPORT of silver. Defendant's Explanation. "AN INGENIOUS POINT." BENCH RESERVES DECISION. Telegraph—J'rcsa Association.) WELLINGTON, July 16. lionald Stuart, who was detained when boarding the Ullmaroa for Sydney recently, appeared in the Magistrate's Court to-day, charged with shipping £430 worth of silver, with intent to export it without the consent of the Minister of Customs. Evidence was g:ven that the silver was packed in packages of £3O each, in defendant's bags. He told the Customs Officer when accosted that he had hoped to make the exchange pay for the expenses of his trip to New Zealand from Australia. He knew that there was a prohibition against the exportation of silver but took "a sporting chance." Mr G. C. Watson, the defendant's counsel, said that the section under which the man was charged was highly i)enal involv.tng not only a fine but the confiscation of the goods. He contended that the money was being taken as personal luggage and that the term "shipping and exporting" could not apply to such luggage.

' Counsel for the Crown said that this was an ingenious point but it must fall. It had been established that the money was being taken for the purpose of establishing a credit between defendant's firm and New Zealand. The Magistrate reserved his decision.