It is stated that owing to the suspension of river navigation the town of Wilcannia is dependent upon supplies carried from Broken Hill principally by camels.

The question has arisen in relation to the carriage of bonded goods whether camels or their pack-saddles are carriages within the meaning of the Customs Act and Regulations, and the Minister for Trade and Customs has asked for advice on the question.

The definition of carriage in the Customs Act is as follows:' "Carriage" includes vehicles and conveyances of all kinds'.

One of the definitions of the word' conveyance' in the Standard Dictionary is:

That by which anything is conveyed or transported, or which serves as a means or way of carriage, as any vehicle; as, to hire a conveyance by the hour; an aqueduct is a conveyance for water.

I am of opinion that a pack-saddle is within the definition of carriage. It is unnecessary to express any opinion as to a camel.

[Vol. 2, p. 87]