ALLEGED CARGO BROACHING.

Taranaki Daily News, 7 August 1918, Page 2

ALLEGED CARGO BROACHING.

NEW PLYMOUTH WATERSIDER CHARGED. Tiio question of cargo pilfering lias been a veved one for shipping companies ' :im.l importers almost as long as importing lias been in vogue, and, ill spite of watchfulness, losses have been incurred liy larg? merchants and small traders alike and only occasionally have offenders been brought to book. Suspicions in tins connection were ■ -routed recently during the discharging •i' cargo from the Rarawa at New Plymouth. On July 20 the vessel arrived at the breakwater,land whilst the cargo ivas being unloaded the officers noticed certain irregularities which they deemed it advisable to report to the police. Tin l result was that officers were -sent to the breakwater, and when the waterp.iu» workers ceased work for their'dinner hour'a search was made, and' a, young man named Ernest Edmund Croot, a watcrsider, was found to have in his possession three oranges, one tin of brillianlsiiine, and a tin of mustard, and in the vessel cases containing such goods were found to .have been opened.; TJie sequel was heard at the Magistrate's Court yesterday, when Croot"Was charged with the theft of three oranges, of the value of Is, the property of John Foster Payne, fruiterer, of Eltham, and of a tin of briiliantshine and a tine of mustard, of the vsflue of 2s 3d, the property of Burgess, Eraser, Ltd. Subinspector Hutton appeared to prosecute, and defendant was represented by Mr. S. Fitzherbert, and pleaded guilty to the first charge. John F. .Payne, m giving evidence, said, when his consignment of fruit reached him, one of the cases showed signs of having been opened, and it contained only about half the number of oranges that should have been in it. The oranges found on defendant were similar to those in the ease which had been broached. It was not the first occasion, by any means, on which he had received goods, both fruit and confectionery, which had been broached before reaching his shop. In cross-examination by ivtr. Fitzherbert, witness said the case had been nailed up with ivood which had not originally belonged to it. Mr. Fitzherbert suggested that a thief would be at pains to nail up his case with the same piece of wood, and also the same nails, from the case, and so cover up his offence. At this stage the Hearing was adjourned till Tuesday next, in order to take the evidence of the officers of the Rarawa. Sentence in the case in which accused pleaded guilty was deferred, pending the hearing of the other charge.