A WHISKY THEFT.

King Country Chronicle, Volume VII, Issue 546, 1 March 1913, Page 5

A WHISKY THEFT.

ACCUSED PERSON FINED. At the Te Kuiti Police Court yesterday, before Mr J. Tammadge, J.P., a man named William McGarvey was charged with the theft of a case of whisky, the property of H. Evans. Defendant, who was charged on a summons did not appear. Duncan MacDiarmid, an employee at Free and Co.'s stable, Te Kuiti, deposed to receiving a case of whisky at Te Kuiti railway station, and sending it out by coach to Pio Pio. The case was for H. Evans. It was consigned to Mahoenui. Patrick Daley, stableman for Free and Co., at Pio Pio. stated in evidence that the case of whisky arrived at Pio Pio on Saturday, and * was to have been sent on by coach to Mahoenui on Monday. The whisky was missing on Monday. In reply to Sergeant Mathew witness stated he (witness) had not stolen the whisky. If McGarvey said so it was untrue. Patrick Corcoran, drover, stated he was at Pio Pio on Saturday, February Bth, about 4 o'clock. McGarvey uttered him a drink out of a black bottle. Accused seemed all right and not under the influence of drink. Sergeant Mathew stated that Free and Co. reported the loss of the whisky to the police. Witness made enquiries at Pio Pio and learned that McGarvey had been flashing whisky about at the time in question. The court records showed that accused had got no whisky sent to him. When questioned regarding the matter accused stated the stableman had taken the whisky. The bench said the evidence was slender, but accused should, have-ap-peared to answer the charge. In the circumstances a conviction would be recorded and accused fined £5, and the cost of the whisky £3, together with costs £2 12s 6d. or in default one month's imprisonment.