A CLEAR RECEIPT.

Auckland Star, Volume LI, Issue 209, 1 September 1920, Page 7

A CLEAR RECEIPT.

THEFT 'CHARGE DISMISSED. A charge before Mr. J. AY. Foyaton, S.M., to-uay, against i'redencK Kliechan (32), a carter, Uiat on July iU Jie stole a bag of sugar (value £3 15/j, the property of Burns, .Fhilp and Co., contained an unusual feature. Evidence was given mat on July 20 three sacks of sugar bearing a particular brand were put on fcjheehan's cart, the brand having just been put on, for transport to'tne s.s. j ffauiti. The goods were checked on to I the cart, and after the job Sheelian got a clear receipt from the Northern b.S. Co. for the three sacks of sugar as delivered on the s.s. Hauiti. jN'otwithstanding this it appeared in evidence that Sydney J. Jenkins, convicted oi receiving stolen goods, had received for nothing a bag of sugar on July 20 from Slicehan at the railway goods shed, i where Jenkins was then working. That I bag had on it the brand of initials that ! had been nut by»an employee of Burn?, I'hilji and Co. on the three bags put on Shpphan's cart. The employer, W. L. Little John, testified to the" letters E.D.A. over the, letters "Wark." being his branding. When arrested by Detective McHugh on a charge of the theft of the Mijzar, Sheehan said he knew nothing of the sugar. Mr. Meredith submitted that there was no case to po to a jury. The only evidence was that of an accomplice, rrhose statement as to time did not agree with the other evidence, while against that accused had a clear receipt for the goods delirered. His Worship required that the receipt in question be produced by a representative of Burns, Pirilp and Co., and after he had perused it he dismissed the charge, remarking that on the evidence there was no probability of the jury t-r>nvictin<r accused if lie were sent for trial. r