CARGO BROACHING.

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 312, 26 September 1908, Page 16

CARGO BROACHING.

•ALLEGATIONS AGAINST WHARF LABOURERS. CASE "PARTIALLY HEARD. The , pit of tho Magistrate's Court was crowded yesterday morning, the special attraction. from the public point of view being charges of cargo broaching preferred against five, wharf labourers, "Win. Alfred Parker, Hugh Noilson, Jas. Swanson M'Millan,' Hans Silverson, and-Albin Anderson, arresteid on Thursday for the alleged theft of a, quantity of zephyr silk and leather valued at £5, whilst employed working cargo in tho , hold of the Federal-Houider-Shire steamer -Rippingham Grange. Wharf workers were' prominent amongst tho gathering of "pittites'," and several women were also noticeabio amongst, the crowd. Chief, Detective M'Grath conducted the case for the prosecution, and. Mr. Toogood appeared for defendants. : Alfonsus. V. J. Doyle, apprentice on the steamer, Rippingham Grange, stated that, on Thursday of last week he was on duty in No. 4 hold watching the cargo, when the fivo accused were working in the hold discharging oargo. They were the only men employed in-that hold, and at about 10.30 a.m. the men took at least one piece of zephyr each from'a case. Witness did not see the men take the zephyr from the case, but saw it in their possession. The zephyr was amongst some large rolls of paper at the back of .the hold. Witness also took a piece, about 25yds., and put "it on his bunk in the skip.' .The five men put their zephyr .under their jerseys. Witness noticed that two cases in No. 4. hold had been tampered with, but nothing, had been taken out of one of them. The big case (produced) contained mercerised silk, and, as far as witness knew, nothing had been taken out of this case. Oil Friday morning some zephyr was taken by. ■ some one of the. accused. On Saturday morning Anderson told witness that he had sold a piece of zephyr for 10s. In witness's opinion about 20, rolls of zephyr had .been taken. On, Wednesday morning witness found a case, of silk open, and said'to the accused that _ none of it was to be taken. As far as witness knew, none was taken. He did not notice anything else wrong. sfbe piece, of stuff witness took was given back to the chief officer. Witness did not intend selling it, but was going to use it for bunkcurtains in his cabin. To Mr. Toogood: Witness had to watch the ■men whilst they were working, and had to see that they did not take anything. Witnoss had pleaded. guilty on Thursday to a charge, of theft of 25yds. of zephyr. He did not know who broke the cases open, and did ! not suggest that any of the accused should take some of the 6tuff, Tho accused took something away on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday .mornings, 'but ,he could not say that each man took something each day. In witnesses opinion the cases had been broken 1 open,with lumpers' hooks, but he would not swear that they had been opened that way. A man might'be able to get to the hold from the cattle deck. Henry V. Webb, fourth officer of, the 1 Rippingham Grange, stated that he had chargo of No. 4 hold from noon on Wednesday; The five accused were then working in the hold, and .were the only men working there. Witness "went to have a read about I p.m., and found-a quantity of zephyr which he took up to the chief officer. Witness interrogated M'Millan, who replied to • the effect that the work had been done by the Liverpool stevedores, and he supposed they (the cargo workers) would get the blame-for it. ' Witness went up to the'chief officer .with the stuff, and was sent down to look for more. Witness-found some more zephyr and a piece of silk, also a piece of leather and five' wrappers off pieces of zepbyr._ Witness spoke to M'Millan again after his arrest,' and. said he'supposed they had been'helping themselves to the • stuff. M'Millan replied: "Ah!, just my baljy luck." ' , " iTo -Mr?';Toogood: It would probably be possible to get to the hold, from the cattle deck. Tho crew's quarters had not been searched. Joseph Wm. Cameron, sailor on the-Rip-pingham Grange, stated that on Monday last he was speaking to the accused down in No. 4 hold. One or the accused asked him if he mended any boots on the way out. The man said there was some leather down the hold, and witness told him he had better leave it alone. Witness did not see any leather there, and could not say which man spoke about it. Witness did not see any of _ the accused steal anything or take any thing away, ' - \ At this stage Chief Detective M'Grath applied for a remand until Wednesday, stating that ! there 1 had not been sufficient; time to go fully into' tho case, and the witnesses that had been taken had been called to enable the ship to get away. Bail was allowed in the sum of £50 each and two sureties of £25 each. ■ ANOTHER CHARGE. Alfonsus V. J. Doyle, an apprentice on the Rippingham Grange, who had pleaded guilty on Thursday to a charge of theft of 25yds. of zephyr cloth from the Rippingham Grange, was brought forward for sentence. Mr. P. W. Jackson, who appeared for accused, said tho apprentice was only 19 years of age. He-admitted having taken the zephyr which he found in the hold, but he had not taken it for the purpose ot disposing of it, his intention being to use it as a-bedcurtain ott'his bunk. Accused was only a, youth, and did not think he was doing' any_ wrong. ■ Captain Lay, of the Rippingham Grange, gave accused a good character. From what witness remembered of his apprentice days he did not think lie .would have regarded the offence as a serious one. His .Worship took into consideration the special circumstances of the case and en- : tared a conviction" and fine of. £3, in default • seven days' imprisonment.