BROACHING CARGO

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 138, 28 February 1918, Page 4

BROACHING CARGO

Another case of broaching cargo was heard by Mr. S. E. M'Cnrtliy, S.M., in the 'Magistrate's Court yesterday. James O'Neil and William John Budd, seamen on board an oversea vessel, were charged with the theft of a box of butter, valued at £3 18s., tho property of the New Zealand and AfriCa Thoinas Tyree, a Customs officer, stated that ho saw three men coming off the vessel in question. Uiie or tbom (Budd) was carrying tho box of butter in a sack. O'Neil was mth Budd at tho time. Witness stopped the men, and Budd was asked what he had in the sack, but he refused to answer. O'Neil said that the sack and contents belonged to him. They declined to state how they came by the butter, and witness then gave tho. men in charge to a constable, ine tnira man cleared out while witness ra talking to tho other two men Budd and O'Neil refused to giva the nanift of tho third man. When tho policeman arrived, O'Neil repudiated Ins statement previously made to the Uistoniß officer that lie was the owner or tbo sack and contents. Neither of the accused was prepared to give evidence. As the captain was prepared to take back Budd into the service of the tompuny, he was fined £5. and O'Neil vras sent to gaol for threo months.