MAGISTERIAL.

Press, Volume L, Issue 8477, 8 May 1893, Page 3

MAGISTERIAL.

aw LYTTELTON. Saturday, May 6.

(Before G. Laurenson and J. T. Brice, Esqs., J.P.'e.)

Alleged. Larceny Partridg?, coal trimmer on board the s.s. Kaikoura, was charged with the larceny of 161bs of meat, part of the ship's stores. From the evidence of the chief and third officers and butcher of the steamer, it appeared that 371bs of meat had been left in the butcher's shop on Friday night. The door was locked, and the only access to the shop was through an open port. Accused wa3 caught about midnight on Friday coming out through the port with a small piece of fat in his hand. When the shop was opened on Saturday morning 161b of the meat were missing. Accused who has sailed in the ship for three voyages, ■was gi%'en a good character by the chief officer, who said the case had been brought simply to endeavour to put a stop to the petty pilfering constantly going on. The Bench said there was not sufficient evidence to connect accused with the theft, and the case would be dismissed. They also pointed out that the real culprits iv these cases were those who purchased the stolen articles. Any receiver coming before them would be severely dealt with.