BLANKETS ON A LIGHTER.

Auckland Star, Volume L, Issue 190, 12 August 1919, Page 8

BLANKETS ON A LIGHTER.

. THREE MEN" CHARGED. V (By Telegraph.—Press Association.) WAXGAXUI, Monday. Four mcn — J. Connor, master of the lighter Morning Light, D. Bentie, J. GibEon, and J. E. Jackson, water.-iders —• were charged at the Magistrate's Court Ao-day with being found in possession of dutiable goods concealed on the lighter. The goods were military blankets belonging to the Imperial Government, and rame from the overseas steamer Armagh. Evidence was given by the quartermaster of the Armagh to the effect that during the night of the lightering operations at Wanganui roadstead he caw bales of blankets being dropped from the liner to the lighter. Investigation disclosed six bales of blankets on the lighter covered with a tarpaulin, and two bag* of blankets in the cabin of the lighter. The information against Bentie was dismissed. The other defendants gave evidence, and denied having- anything to do with the blankets. The magistrate also dismissed the 1 charge again*- Captain Connor, ouing to lack of positive evidence. He said the evidence disclosed that the other two men went on the Armagh and tliev did not give a satisfactory reason for doing so. Jackson' 3 evidence had proved contradictory. It was an impudent attempt to appropriate over £150 worth of fciankets, but the magistrate believed the men were not the only ones implicated. Jackson and Gibson wera each fined pO-aaiiQ costej. ( ___ _^