ALLEGED PILLAGING.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1177, 12 July 1911, Page 8

ALLEGED PILLAGING.

. (1 FROM AUCKLAND WHARF SHEDS. AEEEST OF A WELL-KNOWN CKICKETER. (Bj Telecrarh.—Press Association.) Auckland, July 11. Some sensational revelations in connection with cargo pillaging and systematic thieving in bulk from the wharf sheds at Auckland are expected. On all sides it is reported by. representatives of shipping firms that losses through either pillaging or disappearance of goods have been heavily on the increase during the last twelve months, and particularly for some six months past. The shipping companies, who have to bear the total lot?, have had the matter under consideration for some time, but have been nnablo to solve tho difficulty of frustrating the successful operalions of what appeared to bo an organised system of thieviug from tho wharf sheds. Lately , an acute position developed, and it was reported a few days ago that goods in bulk to tho value of between i'soo and J2GOO had disappeared from the now goods-shed. The cargo lost, included cigars, tobaccos, and , cigarettes;' and general drapery and boots. In one instance a package of no less than 10,000 Havana cigars vanished, and could not be traced. Three cases of drapery, valued at .£l3O, consigned to a local firm, could not be found after being landed from the vessel and apparently deposited in tho shed. A. case of mackintoshes was lost in the same way, anil in other cases packages had been broached, and as many as forty-eight pairs of boots and twentyfour overcoats pilfered. With such serious losses occurring, it was considered that the time had arrived to do something of a definite character to detect the offenders, if possible, and discover in what way the goods were being spirited away, it being apparent that without some system, and the assistance, of several persons, such- extensive thieving and safe removal of tho goods could not be effected.

Some careful enquiries were mid?, and as a result a warrant wns issned for Hie nrrost of Alfred Ernest Hadden. the wellknown cricketer, who is a tallv clerk on the wlnrf. usually emnloyed l:y Messrs-. Huddnrf. Parker, and Co. Tf was allied that Hadden was implicated in the theft of a case containing clothing valued nt S-fln bsloneing to Messrs. Brothers from the Queen Street Wharf shed, on July 3.' Hadden was to-day arrpsfed at Devonnort nn the chr>r?e. avd will be broucht before the Court tomorrow morning.