At the Police Court this morning, John Fargher was charged with a breach of the Customs regulations by knowingly remov ing goods liable to duty, to wib, 600 cigars and 21b of bobacco, of the value of £6 6s 3d, from the steamship Maori, with inient to defraud Her Majesty of the duties thereon. Accused pleaded guilty. Mr T. Hill, Collector of Customs, stated it occurred about 2 o'clock yesterday after noon. The duty on the tobacco and cigars amounted to £6 6s 3d. James Buckley, Custom House Officer, gave evidence. He was sworn, and deposed thab while on bhe wharf he detected accused landing a bag of clothes £rom the Maori in a boat. Accused moved half-way clown the harbour towards Mechanics' Bay. This roused the suspicions of witness, and he ran from the wharf to Mechanic?' Bay, and caugbb defendanb coming ashore with the bag. Witness asked the accused had he any tobacco or cigars in it, and he re plied, "No," bub as wibness was in the act of dropping out the contents, accused said he had tvvn or three cigars. On examining tbe contents of the bag, witness found 9 boxes of cigars (about 600 in number), 2 tins of tobacco, 2 half-pound tins of cut bobacco, and 4 sticks of tobacco weigh ing half-a-pound each. Witness then; told accused he would be locked up, and he had him arrested. In repiy to Dr. Giles, witness stated the duty on the cigars was 7s per lb and on tho tobacco 3s 6d per lb. There were about 91b cigars. Accused, on being asked, said he had nothing to say in defence. Dr. G>'!es said the case was a deliberate attempt to defraud the Customs, and there were no palliating circumstances. He would impose a penalty of double the value of the goods, or in default one month's imprison ment. The amount of the fine was £12 12s 6d.
