WHOLESALE THEFTS.

Press, Volume LX, Issue 18239, 25 November 1924, Page 5

WHOLESALE THEFTS.

I CHARGE AGAINST GISBORNE ! '' MEN. (rHIS3 ASSOCIATION TEL IMAM.) GISBOENE,-November 24. The Magistrate's Court to-day presented the appearance of a warehouse, a collection comprising groceries, confectionery,' sacks of flour and sugar, cases of whisky and schnapps, tobacco, etc., the property of, the New Zealand Railways,; being on J view. The goods! # were stolen "while 'in - transit betweenthe local warehouses and country stores.

Bazil Goodwin ' Breeze, nineteen years of ago, employed in the stationmaster's offico, and George Delvin Byford, forty-four- years of age, Public Works Department, were charged with, on November 13th, stealing three cases of groceries, a case of nails, two bags of sugar, one bag of flour, three cases of whisky, one case of schnapps, of a total value of £SO; also with, on October Bth, stealing groceries of a value-of £36, both lots being the property'of tha Now Zealand Kaijjvays. Tho goods were sent to the railway station, and left in trucks all night. They wcro missing on arrival at tho destination next day.

After a lengthy hearing, '■ Breeze pleaded guilty, and was committed for sentence. Byford pleaded not guilty, and was committed for trial. Breeze was further charged with stealing jewellery and bed linen from a local hotel. He pleaded guilty, and was committed for sentence. Byford' was charged with receiving a portion of the jewellery and a portion of. the bed linen, knowing the same to have been dishonestly obtained. Ho pleaded not guilty, and was committed to the Supreme Court for triaL Bail was allowed, self and onosmoty of £250, or two of £125.