THE SIMBA CASE.

Waikato Times, Volume 110, Issue 18408, 15 August 1931, Page 7

THE SIMBA CASE.

QUESTION OF DUTY. EVIDENCE BY CUSTOMS OFFICERS. DEFENDANT HEAVILY FINED. tnlted Press Assn. —Elec. Tel. Copyright. SYDNEY, August 14. At the hearing of the charges against William Calnan and George Guest under the Customs Act, arising out of the importation of the racehorse Simba, evidence was given by customs officers that Calnan, who was described as a livestock shipper, took delivery of Simba from the Ulitnaroa last May. He said he intended to race Simba at pony meetings. When asked about Its value for primage duty, Calnan 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 and said: "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. He was not aware that Smith had given up training and I forgot to tell him." A customs officer, Mr Bradley, 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 said he 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. After other evidence had been heard, Calnan was fined £lOO with £7 4s 6d costs, in default imprisonment until payment of the fine. Guest was fined £25. Each accused was allowed a month in which to pay the fine. When William Calnan and George Guest were first brought before the Central Court on charges under the Customs Act arising out of the importation of the racehorse Simba, Calnan was charged with having wrongfully stated the value of the horse and having wrongly described it, and Guest with having understated Simba's value at £l5O.