Christchurch Sensation.

Manawatu Herald, 27 June 1903, Page 2

Christchurch Sensation.

ARRESTS OF RAILWAY MEN. For almost a year therq have been complaints of depredations committed in respect to goods bandied by the Railway Department, and, although a strict watch been kept, the depredators succeeded in escaping. The broaching of “cargo” was of various sorts, A long and arduous supervision by the police has now been brought to an end. The local detective force sheeted home some of the culprits and three members of the railway service have been arrested and will be brought before the Magistrate and charged with the misappropriaof property. The arrests will not cease here, for it is understood that several other officers will also be arrested and charged with a similar offence. The position is a painful one, 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 on Thursday were affected as quietly as possible. The local detective force has beau engaged tor months past in attempting to solve the 'mystery of the robberies. ' Francis F. J. Hiddleston, Robert S. Flitt and Joseph Francis Terron, three young married men employed as night shunters at Christchurch, were charged with stealing groceries, . wire-netting, whisky, &c., the property of the New Zealand Government, and were remanded for one- - week on bail of £2O each and each one in a surety of £2O. The police have arrested three more railway employees. "