THE PETROL CASES

Southland Times, Issue 18826, 20 May 1920, Page 6

THE PETROL CASES

TWO FURTHER CHARGES. William Joseph Lyons and William Edward Duthie, who are at present awaiting trial in connection with the alleged theft of a number of cases of petrol, appeared liefore Mr G. Cruichshank, S.M., at the Policy Court yesterday morning to answer an additional charge of stealing 36 cms of “Speed-on” petrol, valued at £4l 14s, the property of Messrs J. G. Ward and Co. Ltd. The theft was alleged to have taken place between December 1 and February 20. The accused were further charged with receiving the petrol, knowing the tame to have been dishonestly obtained. Mr Eustace Russell appeared for the accused Lyons and Mr Stout for the accused Duthie. Detective-Sergeant Cameron prosecuted, and with the consent of counsel for the defence the evidence of John Arthur Mehaffey, William Henry Jude and DefectiveSergeant Cameron as taken in the former case was admitted as evidence in the pre.v 1 ent charges. William Hope, a member of the firm of Smith and Hope, plumbers, stated that about the middle of January he went to Dutliie'a gravel-yard for a supply of sand and gravel to take out on a job. Saw Duthie, who asked him if he could do with some petrol and quoted the price at 24s a case. Witness said that he would consult his partner, and when he did so he ordered six cases. In Febluary Duthie rang witness up and asked if he could do with .some mere petrol and mentioned that he had about another twelve or fifteen cases. Later on thirty cases of Speed-on petrol were delivered at the shop. Some of the petrol was re-sold and the remainder was used by his firm. Thomas Daniel Smith also gave evidence as to the purchase of the petrol from Duthie and stated that the petrol had been delivered by the accused Lyons. The defence was reserved and the accused were committed for trial at the next sit tings of the Supreme Court.