TALLY CLERK CHARGED

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19473, 7 May 1925, Page 10

TALLY CLERK CHARGED

ALLEGATION OF PILLAGING. ■ (Peb United Phtiss Association.l WELLINGTON, May 6. In the Supreme Court to-day eonsidearblo interest was taken in the trial of Wrn. Williamson, a tally clerk employed by the Union Steam Ship Company, who was charged with stealing live bottles burgundy, the property of the Union Steam Ship Company. Mr P. S. K. Maeassey, for the Crown, said it was, very difficult to secure, convictions in cases involving the pillaging and thoft of a ship's cargo. The accused had said that ho saw that tho bottles had been pillaged from the ease, but ho placed them in his pocket and went to the company's offico to hand them over there. Mr Maeassey contended that his contradictory statements after his arrest did not indicate that ho was innocent. His Honor, in summing' up, said he looked upon the case as an important one, as it had to do with pillaging on the wharves, which was very difficult to prove and which had assumed such proportions that it was now a quite serious factor in the cost, of living 1 . It was important to the community and it was also important to the accused as his liberty and character were at stake. Why was not the accused's evidence given in the Magistrate's Court, and not withheld until the case came before tho Supreme Court? The jury thon retired to consider its verdict