WAIMATE WHISKY THEFT.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVI, Issue 261, 2 April 1914, Page 5

WAIMATE WHISKY THEFT.

ni'MIOX BREAK IXTO STORE-ROOM

By Telegraph—l'ress Association. Dimcdin, Last Night.

A case of an unusual nature was heaiUr at the I'olice Court to-day, when James Kmbleton and .lames Timonev, firemen on the Waimate, were charged - with having hii March 30, at Dunedin, embezzled certain of the ship's stores front the steamer, comprising 12 bottles of whisky, 14 bottles of beer, one bottlu of brandy and two bottles of wine, of ft total value of ,C 3, the property of tbc New Zealand Shipping Co. Both accused pleaded not guilty. Similar charges) against three other firemen were withdrawn. Kmbleton and Timoncy, bo-

ing charged, admitted that they bad stolen the'whisky, but denied all knowledge of the other charge. The charge was then reduced to one of having stolen the whisky, valued at £2 ffc.

Chief Detective Herbert said that the two men, while under the influence of liijuor, had gone into the hold, brolwn open the store-room, and stolen tbe whisky during the night.

Captain Mee. of the Waimate, kh'kl that the serious part of the oll'encc wan that the men had ie.-ken the Customs seal. That would place witness in ;'n unpleasant position were the Customs

Department to take action. Both Recused alleged that file lock had brokeji open before I hey went to it. The Magistrate characterised t'lfl ct-fiin-e art a serious one. renderii;; tlto accused iiabl" to twelve months' imprisonmeti!. Tiiev would he convicted and 'viiiwrnl <;ir-!i to It days' imprisonment, ur.u the amount of C2 8?, Cm value ~f ; 1;,- goods', would be deducted C'lual'/ lr.«u the wages of each.