ALLEGED SMUGGLING.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2588, 24 August 1909, Page 5

ALLEGED SMUGGLING.

COURT PROCEEDINGS AT WELLINGTON. (Per Press Association.' WELLINGTON, August 23. As the result of the seizure of certain un-customed goods by the Customs officials on the s.s. Tongariro on Saturday, Charles Maurer, barber on the vessel, appeared in the Magistrate’s Court this afternoon, before Mr. W. G. Riddell, S.M., charged with harboring uncustomed goods to the value of £7l. The articles consisted of eleven overcoats, sixty-five ostrich feathers, and ten dress fabrics. The Tongariro had. been previously searched by Customs officers on the occasion, of her arrival from London: Some of the engineers were brought before the Magistrate and fined. Since then the liner has been loading along the coast. Her last port was Waitara. Mr. Fitzgibbon, for the accused, in applying for a remand, intimated that the defendant’s vessel sailed for England on Thursday. The defendant had a good defence, and did not wish to Jose his position on the ship. Mr. C. S. Nixon, Collector of Customs, raised no objection to the request, and accused was accordingly remanded to reappear on Wednesday. Accused was admitted to bail in one surety of £SO. It is understood that a warrant has been taken out for the arrest of Wm. John Pine, storekeeper on the Tongariro, on a charge of also having harbored uncustomed goods.