HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Seaforth News, 1958-06-12, Page 7Loose Screw Nails
Customs Smuggler
A stocky, rather paunchy man,
approached the Customs' desk.
et a busy port on the English
south coast. He seemed out of
breath: "That's the worst of these
Continental holidays," he wheez-
ed. "Us big fellows are just
S1'Olet •eehausted after all that
ouring."
}Ie mopped his face with his
handkerchief, then heaved his
�re�el.elegse 9nto the sleek, "Here you
ire,'1 he chuckled, "Do your
_worst on that"
The Customs lean looked at
his genial customer. "Would you
mind. stepping this way, sir?"
he asked.
"What for," demanded the
,roan, all trace of his previous
bonhomie disappearing. "I
haven't done anything."
He was taken to a small room
at the rear of the Customs hall,
There he was searched. He stood,
guilty and angry -looking, as a"
belt of wrist watches and jewel-
iery was removed from arotmd
bls waist.
It was revealed he had been
carrying no less than $8,000
worth of smuggled goods on him.
Only the officer's sharp eye had
prevented, him ;getting away
with it.
Hundreds . like him are caught
every year, Over $1,800,000 has
been taken in goods confiscated
and sold by the Customs and
Excise in the past two years,
$200,000 in currency has been
apprehended in the same thee.
Many respectable and other-
wise law-abiding citizens seem
to regard the Customs as fair
game. It has been estimated that
no less than one in three people
coming into Great Britain try to
smuggle something through—if
only for the fact that they can
boast to their friends in the pub
of their achievement.
Few of them get away with
it. If they do it once they are
caught the second time. The
"bail -fellow -well -met" and the
"I -couldn't -care -less" type are all
well known to Customsmen,
They are trained to spot almost
b one glance the too -ready smile
and shifty eyes of the amateur
smuggler.
One seemingly respectable
business man was caught while
conversing with an official be-
cause he kept nervously finger-
ing his collar and tie. A normal
gesture, 'you would think. But
the official was curious,
He asked to see the tie. In the
lining, :oiled into tight wads,
he found_a strip of five pound
notes. There were more in the
shirt.
"I only did it for fun," plead-
ed the 'man. His "fun" cost him
his job as an accountant.
Most of the small-time . smug-
glers aren't worried whether
they are caught or not. They
cheerfully say good-bye to the
article and pay three times its
duty value. It's the professional
who keeps the Customs on their
toes. A constant state of war
exists between them with each
side trying to outwit the other.
A, big closed car came up in
front of officials at a south coast
depot recently. With its well. -
upholstered interior and its gen-
eral air of smartness, it looked
as though it was the pride and
joy of some car enthusiast.
The Customs men went to
work. The were arm-reststake
e n
eut underneath were hundreds:
of Swiss watches.
Tile same went for the seats
and dashboard. One thousand
pounds' worth of currency was
found in the lining of the tires
end inner tubes. Soldered under
the chassis, officials found hun-
dreds more watches.
By the time the search was
ever the car looked as though
a bomb had dropped on it—torn
upholstery and twisted metal
lay everywhere. But it had
yielded of
of pounds'
worth of smuggled goods.
All types seem to like trying
their luck against the Customs.
When a homely -looking, grey
haired woman made her way to
the bench at one busy airport,
officials scarcely gave her a sec-
ond glance. She looked just like
another careworn mother re-.
turning from her first holiday
for some time. •
Casually, she was asked the
routine questions, and the offi-
cer began to chalk her case. Sud-
denly he jagged his linger On
something sharp. He ran his
fingers quickly along the seams
of the case and felt a loose
screw.
•
He gave !t a jerk and' the lin-
ing of the case tell away. Tacked
to the hardboard interior he
found nearly $3,000 in notes!
At London Airport' recently
one of the passengers from a
newly arrived fright made his.
way with slow, measured treads
to the Customs, IIe was a -big
man and his precise steps looked
rather unusual.
He was asked to remove his
shoes. He protested and said he
was having special treatment
for his feet—that walking slow-
ly was the only way he could
get relief, He even produced a
medical certificate to prove it.
But the Customs man was ada-
mant.
In the specially designed heels
were found several valuable
gold watches. He had trouble
with his feet all right—several
hundred pounds' • worth!
The Customs and Excise are
often at work as a suspect steps
off his 'plane or boat.
Sonia weeks ago a well dress-
ed, elegant looking man tripped
confidently down the landing
stage of a 'plane just arrived
frcln Brussels. He adjusted his
hat, patted his overcoat and
made his way to the Customs.
There, to his apparent bewil-
derment, his overcoat and hat
wore taken from him and
searched. Woven into the linings
were found hundreds of pounds
of English currency.
How had he been spotted? A.
Customs man with a pair of bi-
noculars had, been bn the roof
of the airport reception centre
and had seen him give that re-
assuring pat tohis coat,
Probably one of the most un-
usual oases yet heard. of was
the Continental clergyman re-
cently allowed to proceed un-
searched through the Customs.
With his clerical collar and gen-
eral air of innocence he looked
the last person on earth to be a
smuggler.
But he was. suspected, and
several days later was appre-
hended. His car was searched.
He was found to be carrying
thousands of pounds' worth of
smuggled goods under the seats.
IIe was one of the dupes used
by a well known smuggling
gang but, he declared, he hadn't
known a thing of what had been
going On!
THE FROZEN LIMIT
In sub -zero weather firemen
of Charlston brought their en-
gine to a halt at the home of
Arthur Williams.
Theyfoundthe
man snugly tucked up in bed. '
To the surprised firemen he
explained that it was too cold
to get up, even for a fire. '`I
knew you boys would be herein
a few minutes."
It transpired that a stove had
set a wall ablaze and a neigh-
bour had summoned .the fire
brigade. Estimated damage was
£4.
700
600
S00
.100
300
200
1100
FIGURES '14 THOUSANDS
TOTAL,
FIRST QUARTER
2,340
inibtWk',
lr�t958
TOTAL, 1957
6,117
• TOTAL,
FIRST QUARTER
1,555
rar-A. New car!
• F MA M, I. .J A S O N• D, t'.
AUTO OUTPUT - lines ,on graph above show United States pas-
senger automobile output for 1958's first quarter and for the
year 1957. The downtrend which started in November, 1957,
continued through' December and January 1958 and from then
on, at an accelerated pace. In the first ;quarter of this year,
780,000 fewer cars were produced than in the comparable
period last year. Data from Ward's Automotive Reports.
ONLY GOD CAN MAKE A TREE" — Doing the seemingly
impossible, this tree is actually growing from between the bricks
in the wall of a house in Annapolis. The tree adds a new touch
to famous Cornhill Street, which dates from Colonial times. In
background is the Maryland state capitol.
Send Messages
By The Spirits
A noble of the veiled Tuareg
tribe in the Sahara discovered
that his wife was hiving a love •
affair with another, and went
out to find him. Both were. on
cancels when they met. They
drew swords and charged each
other. •
The husband's sword struck
the other en the shoulder, -pain-
ed through his body,'. through
the saddle, and far enough into
the camel to kill it]
Robert Christopher, who has .
stayed with the Tuaregs, says it
would seem impossible that
either, man or sword could be
strong enough to accomplish
such a feat, but it is true, and
reveals how they have retained
their old training in strength
and skill with arms.
There was no trial, for he was
avenging his honour, sacred to
a Tuareg noble. The erring wife,
banished from the tribe, had
only two alternatives—to kill
herself or go on the streets of
a town, That is one reason why
Tuareg infidelity is extremely
rare. "
Christopher found that the
Tuaregs are highly superstitious.
A woman who wants to know
when her husband or lover will
return from a long journey need
only go to the nearest graveyard
when the moon is full, lie on a
relative's grave, put her ear to
'the stones, and the relative's
spirit will give her the esti-
mated time of arrival.
In a land with very poor pos-
tal services and no telephones,
Christopher says, this serves a
useful purpose. "There is no
doubt that it works and any
Tuareg will tell you that they
have been doing it successfully
for hundreds of years," he
writesaccount of his
in acavid
Saharan travels: "Ocean of
Fire."
Once, sitting round the camp
fire, he began poking at the
coals with a stick. Conversation
at once stopped, the man across
the• fire stared at him as , if he'd
suddenly .turned into a monster,
another on his right knocked the
,stick' out -of his hands—because
they 'believe- that poking a 'fire
stops the cancels from giving
milk!
Many times, while he travel-
led in caravan, the -party made
WILL PROSECUTE — Lebanon's
Premier Sarni El Solh says the
government will prosecute
leaders of the Lebanese upris-
ing once law and order have-
been
avebeen restored. Solh, speaking
in Beirut, said there would be
no compromise with opposition
forces who have kept the coun-
try in a turmoil recently,
wide detours around a grave so
as not. to disturb the dead, be-
lieving that if they did so the
spirit would most certainly join
the caravan.
Shaving before noon invites
disaster. Carrying a lighted stick
from one fire to another wakes
the wild desert - creatures and
invites them to bring death into
your camp. Should you squirt
the milk directly into your
mouth while milking' a camel it
will stop giving milk.
Prof. Claude Blanguernon, a
teacher and scholar who has
lived eight years in . the desert,
took Christopher to see the bat-
tleground near the village of Tit
where the Tuareg army made
its last heroic stand against the.
French, and - the warriors lie
buried under piles, of rocks in-`
stead of being interred. They
stopped by one of. these rock
piles, and Claude suggested that
they remove some of the rocks
in order to see the skeleton and
the equipment he had been car-
rying. At once a small bird be-
gan flying overhead.
"How amazing," - said Claude.
"That bird shouldn't be here, for
they don't come to this area un-
til spring!"
In his eight years it was the
first he'd ever seen out of -sea-
son, When they resumed pick-
ing up stones the bird flew
around their heads as if intend-
ing to attack them; it was ob-
viously trying to 'keep them
from the grave. They walked a
few feet away and it . circled
them, They returned ,to the
grave, and it came down at
them again. When they replaced
.the stones 'and mounted their
camels, it vanished.
Christopher thought it had a
nest hidden. among the rocks,
but Claude said: "That's iinpos-,
sible. It's months before the
nesting season. They don't make
their nest on the ground, any-
way. Let's take a look and
make sure, but"—raising his
voice—"we will not disturb the
grave."
They searched carefully
among the rocks but found no
sign of a nest—nor of the bird
again. It was. a disquieting, un
,canny experience, like many in
this first-hand record of the
day-to-day life of a strange
people,
High, Drama
In Our Courts
One of the oldest of our legal'
institutions is still working sat-
isfactorily •-- the jury system.
Twelve good men and true --
and this includes women — are
chosen to hear a case against,
a fellow -citizen, and decide on
the evidence whether, as a neat -
ter of fact, he has done some-
thing wrong.
The judge does not decide'
matters of fact, he is concerned
with questions of law. The jury
must decide, and if they have a
doubt, the 'accused .must have
the benefit of it. Eminentlaw-
yers have said that, in their ex-
perience, a jury is very: seldom
wrong.
Of course, there are moments
of high drama in trials where
a man's life is at stake. Edgar
• Wallace once said that in mur-
der eaves he could always 'tell'
whether they were going to say,
"Guilty" if, as they filed ins none
of them looked at the prisoner.
It was high drama, indeed, in
an English court some years ago
when the jury had -found a man
guilty. - In measured termsthe
judge sentenced him to 'death,
and irrnidiately after sentence -
CLASSIFIED ADVERTISING
AGENTS WANTED
GO INTO BUSINESS
for yourself. Sell our exciting house -
fares, watches and other products not
ound in stores. No competition. Prof.
is .up to 500%. Write now for free
colour catalogue and separate eonB-
denttal wholesale price sheet. Murray
Sales, 3622 St. Lawrence Montreal.
AGENTS EARN EXTRA INCOME
.HERE la a profitable addition to your
lines. Sell Canada's' leading bridal and
bridesmaids' gowns,veils, headpieces
and accessories. Beautifully illustrated
catalogue, and worthwhile information
help you toi n ,
- Classysell FoormalsightWear
ITV Phillips Square, Montreal, Que.
ARTICLES WANTED
WANTED for cash — Stamps, coins,
ppaintings, antiques, old letters, etc.,
Gangel, 105 Bidelle Ave., Toronto,
BABY CHICKS
LTh53TED quantity started pullets. Wide
choice. Dayolds. Ames In -Cross; other
high producers. Meavy cockerels. Dual
purpose chicks. Order Broilers Sept:
Oct. List, Bray Hatchery, 120 John
Hamilton, or local agent.
JUNE ehieks and turkey poults, all
popular breeds on short notice. We
have set extra eggs to take care of
the demand for our customers who
Want chicks on a few days' notice. Our
best by far for egg. production, Kimber
K-137. Also recommend Warren Rhode
Island Red, Red X White Leghorn,
White Leghorn X Red. Our best dual
purpose, Light Sussex X Red, Red X
Barred Rock, Red X Light Sussex. Tur-
key Poults Broad .Breasted Bronze,
A. 0. Smith Broad Whites, Thompson
Broad Whites, Broiler Chicks, Cata-
logue,
TWEDDLE CHICKHATCHERIESLTD.
FERGUS - ONTARIO.
DOMESTIC :HELP WANTED
RELIABLE girl, look after two chil-
dren,
hitdren, assist in housework. Family Priv-
ileges. Liberal time off, K. 5'. Holmes,
Tillsonburg, Ontario:
FARM EQUIPMENT
FORAGE BLOWERS — if you are con-
sidering the purchase of a blower, we
would appreciate the opportunity to
demonstrate the remarkable capacity
of the Kools P,T.O. blower, available
in both feeder and hopper ,types.
Literature on request from H. L.
TURNER LIMITED, Blenheim, Ontario,
1953 INTERNATIONAL Harvest e r
threshing machine. 1051 Goodison
threshing machine, Both size 20.46 with
recleaners, Lynch Bros., Phone 25- W.
Fisherviile, Ont.
Mr. Farmer:
Why should you face that hayloader
or handle bales again this year, when
you can take the back -break out of the
lob with a McKee One -Man Shredder
Harvester.
Remember a McKee Shredder Har-
vester is not a "one Job" machine, aside
from snaking better hay than with
any_other equipment, they are widely
uses Tor harvesting grass Mtge, corn
:Hare, swathed grain and combined
straw,
We have sold McKee Shredder Har-
vesters to over 3,000 progressive far-
mers In Ontario.
Write us for literature and the
names of McKee owners in your dis-
trict, get the facts before you invest.
Wehave factory representatives in
your area ready to call and talk things
over, you are under no obligation.
Order yours to -day and keep it busy
all summer long.
McKee Bros. Limited, Elmira Ontario.
INSTRUCTION •
EARN morel Bookkeeping Salesman-
ship, Shorthand, Typewriting, etc. Les.
sons 504. Ask for free circular. No 33.
Canadian Correspondence Courses
1290 Bay Street, Toronto
MEDICAL
DIXON'S REMEDY — FOR NEURITIS
AND RHEUMATIC PAINS.
THOUSANDS SATISFIED.
MUNRO'S DRUG STORE
335 ELGIN, OTTAWA
$1.25 Express Collect
was pronounced one of the jury
dropped dead.
The Americans use a similar
jury system. In Chicago, not
long ago, the name of a -woman
was cailed out for juryservice
in a trial. As her name was
read out, the court bailiff stood
up. "She is dead," he told the
judge. He pointed to one of
three defendants in court, "and
be is charged with murdering
her!"
But even juries have their
lighter moments, and some, of
their verdicts are comic. On
one occasion they found a man
"Guilty while unconscious." An -
MEDICAL
POST'S ECZEMA SALVE
BANISH the torment of dry eczema
rashes and weeping skin troubles.
Host's Eczema Salve will not disappoint
you, Itching, scaling and burning ecze-
ma, acne, ringworm, pimples and foot
eczema will respond readily to the
stainless odorless ointment regardless
of ehn Post born or Free 00 Receipt eless sof Pricem.
PRICE $3.00 PER JAR
POST'S REMEDIES
tags 58. Clair Avenue East
TORONTO
OPPORTUNITIES FOR
MEN AND WOMEN
FOR early reservations! Write, Old.
Wells -By -The -Sea Improvement .Assad.
ation, Wells, Maine, for literature, An
ideal place to spendyour Maine Sea-
coast vacation.
FREE; Requirements for permanent
living in U.S.A. Complete, confidential,
authentic. -
U.S. Information
Box 2405 -' Vancouver, B.C,
BE A HAIRDRESSER
JOIN CANADA'S LEADING SCHOOL
Great Opportunity
Learn Hairdressing
Pleasant, dignified profession; good
wages. Thousands of successful
MarvelGraduates.
America's Greatest System
Illustrated Catalogue Free.
Write or Call
MARVEL HAIRDRESSING SCHOOLS
350 Bloor 5t, W Toronto
Branches:
44 King St. W., Hamilton
72 Rideau Street, Ottawa
PATENTS
FETHERSTONBA UGH C o m p a n y
Patent Attorneys, Established 1690.
600 University Ave., Toronto
Patents all countries.
PERSONAL
NEW SECRET! Stop -Smoking and
save money. Free Information. Esdras
Belanger, St. Albert, Aiberta, Canada.
$1,00 TRIAL offer. Twenty-five deluxe
personal requirements. Latest cata-
logue included. The Medico Agency,
Box 22 Terminal "Q" Toronto, Ont.
SWINE
ANOTHER record breaking - sale in
Edmonton. Our fourth Landraoe Sale
in Edmonton was a record breaker.
Prices exceeded our three .previous
Sales. There must be a reason Our
customers tell us we have the best
Landrace that money will buy and that
We use them fairly. we are offering
now some of the very best blood lines
that money will buy from imported
stock. Weanlings, four months six
months old sows and boars, guarana
teed in pig gilts and sows, serviceable
boars. Catalogue,
FERGUS LANDRACE SWINE FARM
FERGUS, ONTARIO.
YOUCAN
SLEEP
TO -NIGHT
MS ULIEYE NERVOUSNESS
MUSSY • TO•MORROIRI
To be happy and tranquil Instead of
nervous or for a good night's sleep, take
Sedkin tablets according to directions.
SEDICIN® $11.00-541.95
TABLETS fawasmr.rodrl
-37-MED YOUR WAY'
BIGGER PAYS
Use your spare time to build an
interesting and profitable business
career.
Underline course that lnterests you—
▪ Booklteeping • Cost Accounting
• Shorthand • • rypewrtting
• Stationary Engineering
• Short Story Writing
• Junior, Intermediate. Higher
Accounting
• Chartered Secretary (A.C.i.S.)
• Business English and
Correspondence
Write for free catalogue today
Many courses ourses from which
to choose.
Bay & Charles Streets, Toronto,
Dept. No H•13
1
SHAW'':SCHOOS
other jury was puzzled by the
ease of a man found. dead with
no apparent cause. Finally,
they brought in the verdict: "It
was an act of God in suspicious
circumstances!"
PARATROOPERS AT EASE -- .Paratroopers dad in camouflage
uniforms sit outside the Algiers Government Headquarters Build-
ing where rioters smashed windows and made bonfires of offi-
cial papers a few days ago. "Les paras," as they are called,
are in com^'Ste control of the city under the command of
Gen. Jacques i.',assu, who took over as head of fhe extra -legal
"public safely committee," May 13. -