BROACHING CARGO.

Gisborne Times, Volume IX, Issue 927, 27 June 1903, Page 4

BROACHING CARGO.

SEVERAL ARRESTS,

(Per Press Association.)

Christchurch, last night.

For almost a year there have been complaints at depredations committed in respecs of goods handled by the hallway Department. Although a strict watch has been kept, the depredators succeeded in escaping detection in the broaching of cargo ot various sorts, principally groceries and other goods, hong and arduous supervision by ttie police lias now brougnt the thefts to an end. The local detective force have sheeted homo the crime, and some three members of the railway service have been arrested, and will bo brought before the Magistrate to-day, charged with misappropriation of property. The arrests will not cease here, for it is understood that several other alleged olbcers will also be arrested to day, and charged with a similar offence. The position is painful, as a number of those alleged to be connected with the misappropriation are old and tried servants of the Department, and men with wives and children. The arrests yesterday were effected as quietly as possib'e The local detective force have been encaged for mouths past in attempting to solvo the mystery of the robberies, Francis K. J. Huddleston, Ivobert b. Flitt, and Joseph Francis, three young married men, employed as night shunters at Christchurch, were charged at the Police Court with stealing groceries, wire netting, whisky, etc., the property of the New Zealand Government-, and were rernanded for one week, ou bail of ildO each, and each with one surety of £2O. In connection with the alleged pnfermg of cargo at the railway station, the police have arrested to-day three more railway employees.