LAUNCH MYSTERIOUS

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 35, 4 May 1927, Page 13

LAUNCH MYSTERIOUS

FISHERMEN ON TRIAL BENZINE THEFT CHARGE Working until the early hours, three men passed case after case of benzine from the Texas Company’s yard in Freeman’s Bay to a launch at the north wall. Forty-nine cases valued at £3S 7s 6d were stolen in that way. The onus of identifying George Reid (41) and John Reid (33), two fishermen with the mysterious loaders fell on the prosecution at the Supreme Court to-day. His Honour, Mr. Justice Stringer, presided. Outlining the case, Mr. V. R. Meredith, the Crown Prosecutor, said that the offence was supposed to have been committed on the night of February 19. The Reids had hired a fishing launch. On their own admission they had only two cases of benzine on board when they started out on a trip which lasted for 19 days. It was ridiculous to think that the long voyage could be made on two tins of spirit. William Forbes, a fisherman of Great Barrier Island, who returned to Auckland on the Reid’s launch, said that on the voyage to the city George Reid had thrown some benzine tins overboard, remarking that “dead men tell no tales.” The Reids had got only one tin of motor spirit from him. (Proceeding.)