THEFT OF SILK STOCKINGS

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 265, 29 July 1918, Page 6

THEFT OF SILK STOCKINGS

WATERSIDER COMMITTED FOR SENTENCE A further case of cargo pillaging came before the Magistrate's Court on Saturday, when a waterside worker named Thomas Eiley pleaded guilty before Mr. D. G. A. Cooper, S.M., to a charge of having stolen from tho steamer Mapourika, at Wellington, twelve pairs of silk stockings, valued at c£6, tho property of tho Uniun Steam Ship Company. Mr. H. ?-. O'Leary appeared for accused.

Chief-Detective Boddam, who prosecuted, said that on the evening of July 5, Constable Cleverley saw the accused coming from the direction of the Mapourika, which was berthed at the King's Wharf. The man's actions were somewhat suspicions, and the constable accosted him, asking if lie had anything concealed about him. Accused replied "No." Constable Cleverley searched him, and found ton pairs of ladies' silk stockings hidden underneath his overalls. A. little later, near where Constable Cleverley first spake to the man, two further pairs of silk stockings were found lying on the wharf. Accused had been working in No. 2 hold of the Mapourika amongst goods which had been transhipped from a Japanese steamer. Subsequent inquiries revealed the fact that a case of goods consigned to B. Bornian, of Auckland, had been • broached, and a number of pairs of stockings were missing. Constable Cleverley gave evidence on the. lines of the chief-detective's statement, and said that when arrested accused was slightly under the influenco of liquor.

Allan Basil Sheath, claims clerk for the Union Steam Ship Company, Wellington, said that among the cargo loaded into No. 2 hold on the Mnpourika were four cases consigned to B. Bornian, of Auckland. Jlr. Bornian had since claimed from the Union Company the sum of oC2I 183. Sd., for the pillaging of five i\nd a half dozen pairs of silk stockings, and for three Japanese jewel eases, which were taken from the same case.

John E. H. Crnmond, claims clerk for the company at Auckland, testified to examining a case at Auckland, and said that the contents had been considerably disturbed. Accused was committed to the Supremo Court for sentence, bail being allowed in the sum of JJSO.