SHIP'S OFFICER IN TROUBLE

Dominion, Volume 14, Issue 10, 7 October 1920, Page 5

SHIP'S OFFICER IN TROUBLE

THEFT OV GASOLENE In the Magistrate's Oourt yesterday, before Mr. J. S. Bvans, S.M., Joseph Lawton was ehareed tlat on September 13, ho stole 22 cases of (jasoleno valued at £J3 lis,, the property of Levin and Co., Ud. Chief-Detective Ward prosecuted and Mr. E K. Kirkoaldie appeared for (he accused.

The facts were stated to be that the accuaod was tho mate of ' tho s.s. Kennedy, undor charter to Lovin and Co. A transhipment of gaeolcno was received by tho Kennody from an American vessel. Tho Kennedy loft for Foxton on (September 14, and her manifest showed that eho carxicd 3301 cases of gasolene, consigned to Levin and Co.'b agents Sor distribution to customers. On the arrival of tho Kennedy at Foxton the tally out of gasollno was 1323 cases, or 22 cases (one crane lead of gasolene) in oxcosa. Tho accused sent th's excess 23 easeß by carrier to Henry Ooley, his lathor-ln-lavr, Iwho is a 'taxi-proprietor at Foxton, and received a, cheque for £29 Ws. When Coley got tho gasolene, he rang up levin and Co. and asked them !f thov sent the oil. Later Lawton rang np Coley and asked him if ho got the gasolene, stating that ho purchased it In Wellington.

Lawton was seen by Detective Torrance and made a voluntary statement, admitting his part in tho theft, Ha stated Mint his sharo was only £3, Georgo Wilson, tally cleric, stated, that ho was re.ipoitslblo for tallylnrr tho gasolene into tho Kennedy. On tho day tofore tho iKennrdy sailed the Harbour Board official tallying tho gasoleno out of tho American vcsail disputed 22 ease), but witness considered his tally was correct, and stuck to it. When the vessel wan loaded the two tallies wero believed to ho "correct, and llu Harbour Board ofHotal wns alleged to ha.vo admitted that he made no Allowance for lonics Which wero sent bock to tho discharging vessel. The accused heard witness ,'ny that there was a dispute about 23 caes. Ho mado that statement to the shipping clerk. The accused could not helve known whether there were 22 easeß in excess, or that number less.

The eceused pleaded gulitv.' and wns committed to the Rnnrcmc Court for Pen. tencn Jfr. TCMicnldle ssked for lnil. which was granted in tho sum of ,£W and one surety of £100, or two of £M each.