THEFT FROM STEAMER

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 355, 16 May 1928, Page 15

THEFT FROM STEAMER

KEYS AND MONEY TAKEN MAN DENIES CHARGE Early in the morning of March 8, while the chief steward of the Taniwha was asleep* he was robbed of his keys and the till of the bar, in which there was £ls, was rifled. Michael Edward Boyle to-day appeared in the Supreme Court before Mr. Justice Blair and pleaded not guilty to charges of the theft of £5 and a bunch of keys, the theft of £ls and a bunch of keys. . Mr. V. N. Hubble prosecuted and Mr. F. D. McLiver appeared for the accused. For the Crown, Mr. Hubble said that the offence occurred when the Taniwha arrived at Paeroa. The boat was making a special trip on account of the races there. The evidence would show that about 6.30 a.m. the accused took the keys from the chief steward and then entered the bar and after his visit the money was missing. A passenger would say that he had seen Boyle commit the theft.

Robert Page said he was a passenger on the vessel. He did not sleep at all during the night, and after the bar was locked saw a tall man open the bar door with a key. Later he saw him come out with something in his hands. Several bottles were also passed out at the suggestion of another man standing near the door. He also heard the clink of silver. Later he identified the accused at the police station without difficulty.