CHARGES OF THEFT

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2432, 10 April 1915, Page 8

CHARGES OF THEFT

OIL AND COPPER FROM A ■ STEAMER. (By Telegraph—Pms Association.) .Chrlstchuroh, April 9. Robert Hempstalk, Thomas Griffiths Jones, and Edward Roche, charged with the theft of 12 drums of oil and a bundle of copper rods from the steamer Tainui, were before the Court. Thomas Mood Scott, formerly boatswain's mate on the Tainui, gave evidence to the effect that ho sold the oil and copper to Jones. In his evidence Jones stated that Scott asked him if he could sell the oil and copper for him. After hearing the evidence the Magistrate dismissed the charge against Roche. The Magistrate had no doubt that Hempstalk and Jones were guilty of receiving the goods knowing them to have been 'stolen. Jones was sentenced to three months' imprisonment and Hempstalk was ordered to come up for sentence when called on. Rudolph Alexander Anderson and James Rudolph Anderson were charged with receiving eleven drums of oil. After hearing the evidence the Magistrate reserved his judgment until Wednesday. Thomas Wood Scott appeared on remand for sentence on a charge of stealing oil and copper. The Magistrate took into consideration the assistance this accused gave the police with his evidence, also the fact that, he had been three weeks in gaol, and sentenced him to fourteen days' imprisonment.