CARGO-STEALING

New Zealand Times, Volume XLVI, Issue 10612, 10 June 1920, Page 7

CARGO-STEALING

DISHONEST SEAMEN THEFT FROM FOLD; SALE TO SECOND-HAND DEALER. In the Magistrate's Court yesterday morning Frederick James Patching, late quartermaster on the s.s. Port Nicholson, and Samuel McDonald, cook, were each charged before Mr W. G. Riddell, S.M.. with the theft of 19 overcoats and eight ladies’ singlets to a total value of .£7B from some person or persons unknown, and with being in possession of uncustomed goods. McDonald was lurthev charged with receiving stolen property. Chief-Detective Ward prosecuted on bohalj of the police, Mr C. B. CKDonncll appeared for Patching, and Mr A. B. Sievwright for McDonald. John Finn, barman at the Wellington Hotel, said that on Monday afternoon, May 24th, Patching came into the bar with a “swag.” and asked witness to take care of it for him. On Tuesday he came back again with McDonald, and the “swag” was handed oyer to them, but he was not certain which man took possession of it.

OWNERSHIP OF COATS UNPLACED. Harold Lowry Penny, in charge of tbo inward freight department of the Commonwealth and Dominion Steamship Company, said that tho * steamer Port Nicholson was in port during May, and the vessel was owned by ins companyHe had been shown 19 rubber overcoats at the police station, but bad so far been unablo to trace the, owners of the coats. He was called upon to examine a vase marked “A.O. and C 0.,” and numbered 6818. ex the Port Nicholson, which had been landed in a damaged condition, and according to the invoice received by tho consignees 59 ladies’ nnder-singlcts wero missing. CARGO BROACHING RIFE. Witness explained to Mr O’Donncil that when a Vessel was In. Port fc watchman or a ship's officer was placed in charge of each hold when the hatches wero off. Patching, who was quartermaster. would bo in charge when tho hatches were on and the door of tho trap-hold would then bo locked. He was unable to say if tho hatches were off and a tarpaulin placed over the hold when the vessel arrived in port. During the night an officer was required to he on the vessel, and if ho was wanted iho quartermaster would call him. He had had twelve years’ experience at sea and_ on the ships he had served in it was not usual for au officer to supervise tho quartermaster. There had been a large amount of cargo-broaching and thieving of late. No precautions were taken except placing someone in charge of each hold. • MANY SINGLETS MISSING. Frederick Claud Archer, in chap-go ot the tinder-wear department of Abbott, Oram and Company, warehousemen, stated that on May 17th he examined case No. 6SIB, which was part ’of the cargo of the Port; Nicholson for his firm. The oaso contained ladies’ singlets, and • it was found that instead of 70 dozen being in the ease it only contained 55 1-12 dozen. The singlets produced in court were similar in every respect to the goods missing from the case. BELIEVED ACCUSED’S STATEMENT. Janet Phillips, daughter of Mrs Annie Phillips, licensed second-hand dealer, Taranaki street, stated that on May £4th, between 8 and i o’clock, the accused McDonald arrived in Itho shop with a canvas bag, from which ho produced a number of ladies’ rubber coats, which he desired to sell. There were 17 coats, and tho price asked was 30s each. Eventually McDonald accepted 20s each for tho coats. Before the money was paid over Patching came in but he did not say anything. As he appeared to be a friend of McDonald, witness asked for his name and address, which he gave as P. Flahroty, and his address as 29, Pipitea street. The other man said his name was S. McDonald, and that ho resided at 373, Ohiro roul. The coats produced were tho ones purchased. Witness informed Mr O’Donnell that she had been engaged in the second-hand business for ten years, and had experience in the value and buying of ladies’ coats. She placed the value for selling purposes at the price given for them. None of the coats were offered for sale as they were taken away by the police too quickly. McDonald Was asked several times if the coats were his property, and ho said that they were, and produced papers to verify his statement. Had witness or her mother had the slightest suspicion that the coats wore not theproperty of McDonald they would not have boon purchased. To Mr Sievwright: When McDonald entered tho shop he had all the coats with him. He went to the door on one occasion, and it was possible that he called Patching in. McDonald never said to Patching, “They are only offering you £1 each for the coats.” Patching never said a word, and did not take part in the transaction. TRANSACTION IN VESTS. ■ Miriam Phillips, sister of the , last witness; said that when she was looking after Mrs’ Nausbaum’s second-hand shop in Manners street on Wednesday, May 20th. McDonald came in and offered eight ladies’ singlets for sale. Witness bought four of them for 10s. McDonald gave his name as C. McDonald, of .273, Ohirc, road, Simon Nausbaum, second-hand dealer, Courteqay place, said that at his wife’s ship he bought one coat for his wife’s personal use, the price paid being 30s. The man gave his name as C. McDonald, of 273, Ohiro road. • McDonald’s explanation. Constable McLennan stated that ho recovered the 19 overcoats from tho shops mentioned and the same day McDonald was located by witness and DetectiveSergeant Scott. When questioned McDonald admitted that ho had wold tho coats on behalf of a man who ho knew ns “Pat.” Later McDonald pointed “Pat” out and tho man proved to bo tho accused Patching. When questioned Patching said that ho hud 15 more coats, but did not feel inclined to inform the police whore they were. .McDonald made a statement to tho offeet that ho met Patching, who said his name was “Paddy.” Patching said that ho was a member of the crow of the Port Nicholson, and had purchased a number of overcoats in 'Frisco, which ho desired to sell. .McDonald slated that ho undertook to dispose of tho articles and received JE2 for his services PATCHING ADMITS HIS GUILT.

Constable McLennan added that word was received from Patching’s counsel that ho desired to plead guilty to the charge and the following statement was given by Patching at tho gaol:—“JL wish to tell tho truth in connection with the thefts of the overcoats unit vesta from tho s.s. Port -.Nicholson, When tho Port Nicholson was in Auckland a stevedore told me there were some mackintoshes down No. I hatch, hut I did not pay any attention to the remark until tho vessel reached Wellington on Saturday, May 22nd. That night, when everything 'was quiet, I lifted the hatch off, put a ropo down and slid down it to tho next deck. X then went down tho ladder into tho lower hold, where 1 found o broken case. The mackintoshes wore lying about and some were partly out of the ease. I filled a canvas bag with them and found the eight singletn in the hold under some dunnage. I was quartermaster on watch at tho tune. On tho following night (Sunday) I took the bag ashore and planted it. On Monday 1 wont. looking'to tee what I could gel for the coats and singlets. i eventually mot McDonald

nnd arranged with him to *ell tho articles on my behalf. I bad intended going back to the bold for the purpose of Betting more overcoats, but did not do eo.” J[r Sicvwriffbt submitted that there was not sufficient evidence to place before a jurv in (ho case- of McDonald, and that the information against hiiu should be dismissed. Tho magistrate said that a prima facio case had boon made out and that the accused would have to lake liis chance with a jnjry. The charges, other than the main ones, wero withdrawn. Patching, who pleaded guilty, was comraitlcd to 'the Supremo Court for sentence, and McDonald, who pleaded not guilty, for trial. To the case of McDonald bail was allowed in a .sum of .hIOO, with a surety of a like amount, or (wo of ,£.TO each.