ALLEGED THEFT OF BLANKETS

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 272, 13 August 1919, Page 6

ALLEGED THEFT OF BLANKETS

STEWARD OF ■ THE ARMAGH COll--1 MUTED FOE, TRIAL. By' Telegraph—Press Association. Wanganui, August 12. Another casD arising out of tho recent visit of tho Home steamer Armagh to tho Wanganui roadstead. was heard in tho Magistrate's Court to-day, when Joseph Georgo Abbott, a steward en that steamer, was charged with stealing 19 blankets, the property of tho Imperial Government. Tho polico stated that the lighter Shamrock tended the Armagh in the roadstead, her crew including James Irvine (master), Monte Waller (engineer), and Placed Firmin (greaser). Waller bought the blankets from the accused and they were brought ashore. Snbse(mently tho r police recovered eleveii blankets, from Waller, ten from Firmin, and three from Irvine. Waller, in giving evidence, 6aid ho went on tho Armagh and was approach, 'ed by the accused, who,offered to sell 15 or 1G blankets for £3. Witness accepted tho offer, and the blankets wore subsequently delivered on the lighter. Firmin said he 6aw a man throw four 6acks of blankets over the sido of the Armagh. Witness bought ten for 30s. from Waller., Hugh M'Dormott, acting-mate of tho lighter, said ho saw accused throw two sacks over the side. '.Irvine, tho master of the lighter, said Firmin passed the blankets down into thofcabin and witness helped stow them uwa>. . Wilfred James, purser on the Armagh, said tho vessel had been engaged a» a troopship, and at Sydney ho took over and tallied 7000 blankets.. They were .valued!by the Imperial Government at 15s. each. Accused bore a good \ccused pleaded not. guilty, and was . committed for trial at tho Supreme Court.