DUTY ON RACEHORSE

Star (Christchurch), Volume XLIV, Issue 193, 15 August 1931, Page 1

DUTY ON RACEHORSE

’mporter of Simba Heavily Fined. REAL VALUE CONCEALED. United Press Assn.—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright. SYDNEY, August 14. The charges against William Calnan and George Guest arising out of the importation of the racehorse Simba were heard to-day. Evidence was given by Customs officers that Calnan, who was described as a live stock shipper, took delivery of Simba from the Ulimaroa last May, saying that he intended to race Simba at pony meetings. When asked about the horse’s value for primage duty, he replied: “ About' £150.” He signed a letter to that effect. A Customs investigation officer later interviewed Calnan, when he admitted that the horse was not his. He was merely acting for Joe Smith, a pony trainer. Later again, 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 train horses for me, was not aware that Smith had given up training and I forgot to tell him.” Customs officer Bradley said that Guest told him that he did not want the fact known that Simba was worth a big price, as it would affect the betting market. He also feared that 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. After other evidence had been given, Calnan was fined £IOO and £7 4s 6d costs, in default imprisonment until payment of the fine. Guest was fined £25. Each man was allowed a month in which to pay his fine.

William Calnan and George Guest were before the Central Summons Court on August 10 on charges under the Customs Act, arising out of the importation of the racehorse Simba. Calnan was charged with wrongfully stating the value of the horse and with having wrongly described Simba, while Guest was charged with having understated Simba’s value at £l5O. The case was adjourned for a fortnight. Simba (Psychology—Tressida) was sold last April by Mr J. S. M’Leod, the well-known Hawke’s Bay owner, to an unnamed Australian purchaser. The horse left New Zealand by the Ulimaroa on May 1.