WAR MATERIAL.

Press, Volume LV, Issue 16435, 31 January 1919, Page 8

WAR MATERIAL.

UNAUTHORISED DEALING

(By Cable.—Press Aeeociation,.—Copyright.) (Australian and N.Z,. Cable (Received December 30th, 8.10 p.m.) LONDON, January 28.

A remarkable case is being heard at Bow street. William Borrow, manager of the Midland Gun Company, Birmingham, and John McGrath, railway goods clerk, Camden Town, are charged under the Defence of the Realm Act with dealing in "war material without a permit.

Mr McDonnell Bodkin, prosecuting, said it was alleged the defendants were engaged in endeavouring to import arms into Ireland. Correspondence seized showed that transactions between the defendants had been going on since March, 1916. The police, on the 11th of the present month, saw McGrath meet Borrow at Ragby station. The latter put two parcels aboard the Liverpool train, and handed McGrath. a note bearing a Liverpool address, enclosing £100. The police examined the parcels, which contained twelve revolvers, twelve thousand rounds of ammunition, and thirty pounds of explosive. The police searched McGrath, who "was carrying two revolvers and a Sinn Fein membership card. A letter was found in McGrath's house from the Arklow Irish Volunteers, asking how revolvers and ammunition could be got from Liverpool'to Ireland.

The proprietor of the Midland Gun Company, in evidencej stated Borrow made irregular entries, showing that fifty thousand cartridge cases had been consigned to McGrath and Company. He had no knowledge of the transaction.