A relative of a man who resides in Australia yesterday filed a judicial letter in court calling on the local authorities to grant him permission to take three antique horse-drawn carriages that were used during funerals in Malta to Australia.

Mary Mifsud filed the judicial letter on behalf of Guy Mifsud who lives in Australia. She claimed that several years ago, in the 1980s, Mr Mifsud had donated three of a set of seven horse-drawn carriages to the then Museums Department.

Now, she claimed, the Superintendence of Cultural Heritage is not allowing Mr Mifsud to take back the horse-drawn carriages, which are more than 60 years old. Moreover, it is not granting Mr Mifsud permission to take them to Australia and is expecting him to pay tax.

Ms Mifsud said these horse-drawn carriages are in a state of abandon and are not even exposed to the public. She said she is prepared to take all the necessary legal action in order for Mr Mifsud to be granted permission to take these horse-drawn carriages to Australia.

Dr Owen Bonnici signed the writ.