HOW CARGO IS BROACHED WHOLESALE.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XV, Issue 179, 29 July 1880, Page 4

HOW CARGO IS BROACHED WHOLESALE.

The New Zealand Herald referring to the recent trial at Auckland of tbe cargo broachera on bonrd the barque Chile, gives an outline of tlie information gathered by the police in reference to the ease: — " That the veeael wm cot blown up or eet on fire s^cms slmost miraculous. Wheu the watch came off J duty at 12 o'clock ot ni/»ht, some went below on a 'foßeicking' expedition. The roan on the look-out keptasbsrp wetch — not ahead — but astern, upon the officcra on the poop. He was much more concerned for the safety of hia comrades than for the vessel. Whenever the searchers returned, there was 6 sheriog out, of tbe epoil, and imbibing of grog — all the more palatable lor being stolen. The candlesticks osc-d were simply pieces of flat boards on which the candles were festened by means o£- a little of their own gresse melted. One of these unique candlesticks, which the writer wrs shown, bore traces of haviog bean the support of many candles, Yet with these the reckless acd frequently almost drunken' sailors roamed about sraiust gunpowder and many very inflammable materials. As an instance — ono night two men went down at 12 o'clock on behalf of the watch to explore for plunder. Two dreary hours passed, at the expiration of which time the rest, weary of waiting and watching, despatched b third explorer, being hopeful that the two pioneers had fallen upon a ' Btre&k of luck,' "and required aesiataQce to convey the treasure to their Mecda, Ago. her Ibour passed heavily enough, but eventually the seco&J messenger revived their droopiog spirits, and set them rejoicios; appearing in 'he character of Ganyraetie — their cupbearer, ncy, their bouatlful bottlo - bearer, lndtn with ardent spirits — two bottles of brandy. At 4 o'clock. the oiber two men come up from the bold empty-hsridec!. It is as likely as anything else that they feuad grog,- drank slept, and only »wokein time to return to duty. The hardy $u!venturners left; lr«cefl everywhere, not the -least insignificant being, a crate of charred stnsw. They tried nod tested everything. Thus in one corner was to be Been a c^se of bottha — »onco bottled beer. They had drank ihs beer, bu£ restored the brttleß, In the cass was found a tin, containing some preserved peas; a portion h»d been eaten, and the tin containing (he balance, thrown in amongst the bottles. The jolly tars were utterly indifferent to both order and appearances. Sometimes they dropped acrosß articles, invaluable io therusalvee, that apparently were not to their taate. A quantity of drags, for Kettipthorse, Proseer, and Co., Limited, did not diminish much through U»eir mstruaiesitulifcy. A tempting looking parcei, addressed in a

bold bend to the Bishop of Auckland, did pot seem to hava excited their cupidity, beißjr passed by with a merely cursory examination. But the moßt disappointing of all was a esße of Polyslot Bibles. Aftov laboriously nutting through the zinc the Bibles were discovered. When the division of the booty came in the forecastle ludicrous scenes occurred. Fsncy n ican with v fcofc of twelve inches at least having s pair of stockings suitchle for a young mies of twelve euranjers ! Another individuals' share was a pi»t of cold drawa castor oil. Some perfumed thetnsslveß with otto of roses for the first time in their lives, while others softened their wiry and unkempt locks locko with Row'nnd's macassar oil. Shirts end clothes were found in tho possession of oaa or two,- with the traoe tickets ou, and minus tbe retail snerk, One of them said he had bought the dottier, whiob bad all the rsppaur-r 0000 of never having beeu worn, in Queensland. Another bought bis Bhirt. in Eurrland — douhtlasa in a whoh-sulo estabiishraeot. • The plunderers left icdisputable evidence that they were a jolly lo*, whose motto was * Sufficient for to-f?ay is tho evil thereof;' they took no thought for the sorrow."