£25 for Two Bottt
p. 116 · Read in the full issue
of Beer
A SEAMAN who was apprehes as he got into a taxi near wharf in January was si; quently fined £25 because he; carrying two bottles of beer on w he had not paid duty.
The taxi which he had ore was seized and “confiscated.”
Had the man been apprehes on the wharf before he got into; taxi his penalty would have lighter and the unfortunate driver would not have been invf in the case.
The Suva magistrate who M the case, Mr. E. Light, said there was no alternative charges could have been made and the r mum penalty for “carrying was £25. The law also provides confiscation of the vehicle cam the goods. He said that thes owner could apply to the Gove:s in-Council and the Customs des ment would not oppose his tion.
In the meantime the taxi cd suffers loss of earnings. Many residents, regardless of whati legal aspects of the case are, as the opinion that in this instancD law is an ass. fl Mr. Len Usher, Fiji Public I tions Officer, returned to duti end of January after 9 months seas leave.