ALLEGED WAREHOUSE THEFTS.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXIV, Issue 171, 20 July 1903, Page 2

ALLEGED WAREHOUSE THEFTS.

(Continued from Page 5.)

ACCUSED COMMITTED FOE TRIAL.

J ohn Brach was the first witness called after the adjournment. He stated that his duty was to check the orders from the order forms supplied from the different departments. An order (produced by Mr Tole) dated July 7th was never checked by him. He found it on his file on that date when he returned from lunch, and the goods mentioned on it, if they left the warehouse, must have done so without going through the proper form.

Detective iicilis said on July Stli he received information as to goods missing from John Burns and (Jo. and interviewed Worms with reference to the goods he had carted away. He (Worms) replied that he had taken some white lead and some oil for Mr Morpoth, of Ponsonby. and a case of kerosene for himself. Witness asked when I*6 received the order from Morpeth. J3e said that Morpeth himself gave him the order verbally. Witness replied that this was incorrect, as Morpeth had said he gave no order at all. and he (witness) therefore would have to charge Worms with stealing the goods. Witness also asked, "What about the kerosene?" Worms replied, "Well, I'll tell you the truth." Witness wrote the statement down and Worms signed it, Before signing the statement witness asked, "How did you come with the order for the kerosene? There has been some misunderstanding about it."' He replied that he obtained the order from a Mr Owen, a member of the firm of Carder Bros., on July 7th, but that he had forgotten to give it tc Farrow when he ordered other goods. Witsess said he did not believe this. He aiso asked accused what the sacks contained which he took away on the van with the other goods. He replied that they contained coal, which he had left at Burns' earlier in the day. Witness said he could not believe this, and must charge him with stealing. Accused then said'lie would tell the truth, and made and signed the statement, which witness took in writing in the presence of Constable Dunn.

The statement was here handed to the Magistrate, who perused it prior to handing it to the accused's solicitor (Mr. J. C. Martin).

Witness, continuing, said he soon afterwards saw Farrow, and, in the presence of Constable Brown, charged him with stealing the articles mentioned by Worms. To this list Farrow added other articles, and finally said, "I'll tell you the truth." lie then made.- and signed a statement, which witness took in writing. Witness then brought Worms and Farrow face to face with each other, and read Karrow's statement to Worms. Worms replied, "Yes, that's right. We took the stuff and cut it up between us." Next day (July 0) witness visited a man named Harold Skinner with Constable Brown, in consequence of what Worms said as to the place where the stuff was deposited.

Witness said that in the presence of Mrs Skinner he recovered 2cwt of white lead, 2 five-gallon drums of oil, and another drum of oil, two skins of pwtty 28 lbs each, 28Ibs of Venetian red, 2Slbs of driers, 2J bolts of scrim, and 3 gallons o'l varnish, in the day he saw Mr Skinner, who handed him over some brushes. Witness afterwards showed the goods to Mr Burns, who identified them as similar to those kept at his warehouse. Some of the goods had Burns' mark on them.

To Mr Martin: Worms was under arrest -when witness first Raw Farrow. Farrow camp to the Police Station, where the interview with him took place. Mr Tole said this concluded the evidence for the prosecution against Worms and Fa.rrow on the two informations. Worms and Farrow were committed for trial, pleaded not guilty, but reserved their defence.